Have you ever woken up and had some difficulty opening your eyes? Sometimes, not being able to open your eyes may require medical intervention, but in other cases, the solution may be simpler. Five reasons why you may be struggling to open your eyes are:
- Blepharitis
- Dry eye
- Eye injuries
- Allergies
- Fatigue
If you experience difficulty opening your eyes periodically it is important to let your optometrist know about your symptoms at your next eye exam. If you experience difficulty opening your eyes frequently or for long periods, consult your optometrist or family doctor immediately.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an eye condition where your eyelids become irritated and swollen. Dry eye, eyelash mites or skin bacteria, and malfunctioning oil glands in the eyelids can all cause blepharitis. As blepharitis worsens, the eyes may swell or leak puss, making it hard to open the eyes, especially when waking up.
Common symptoms of blepharitis include:
- Red eyes
- Gritty-feeling eyes
- Watery eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Itchy and greasy eyelids
- Crusted eyelashes
- Skin flakes around the eyes
Blepharitis can be treated using warm compresses and proper eyelid hygiene, however, if at-home treatments recommended by your optometrist aren’t working, you may want to consider prescribed or in-clinic treatment options. Some medical treatments for blepharitis include professional eyelid cleanings, antibiotics, and prescription eyedrops.
Dry Eye
Dry eye is a common eye condition that affects millions of Americans every year. Dry eye occurs when your eyes can’t produce enough high-quality tears to keep your eyes lubricated. Sometimes, people with dry eye struggle to open their eyes, especially in the morning when waking up. Some common symptoms of dry eye are:
- Stinging and burning eyes
- Gritty-feeling eyes
- Red and irritated eyes
- Stringy mucus around the eyes
- Watery eyes
If dry eye is making it difficult for you to open your eyes, consult your optometrist. An optometrist can recommend a treatment option that will make it easier to open your eyes in the morning. Treatment options include warm compresses to loosen hardened oils in the eyelid or using specialized eye drops or ointments before going to sleep to keep the eyes lubricated overnight.
Eye Injuries
If you experience an eye injury you may struggle to open your eyes. Getting small particles of dust and dirt in the eye can lead to feeling like you can’t open your eyes. If you get small particles in the eye, it is important to flush the eye and eyelid out with clean water. If you can’t get all particles out of your eye, or feel like something is stuck in your eye, contact a doctor immediately.
Another kind of eye injury that makes it difficult to open your eye would be getting hit in the eye. Being hit in the eye can cause swelling that makes it difficult or impossible to open your eye. If you get hit to the eye consult an ophthalmologist immediately, especially if there is any bruising. Even ‘gentle’ blows can cause permanent eye damage.
Allergies
Sometimes, things like pollen, dust, and smoke can cause allergic reactions in the eyes. These allergic reactions can lead to swollen and gritty-feeling eyelids. The swelling and irritation in our eyelids caused by allergies can make it difficult or uncomfortable to open your eyes.
Eye allergies can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamine medications and eye drops. If you struggle with eye allergies, consult your optometrist about your treatment options.
Fatigue & Eye Strain
Have you ever had a night where you struggled to fall asleep and then when you wake up in the morning, opening your eyes feels impossible? Fatigue and eye strain can make it difficult to keep your eyes open.
When you are tired or have been using your eye muscles intensely for a long time, the muscles around your eyes get tired, and it can be hard to open your eyes. Similar to how it can feel difficult to lift your legs after a long run or a hard workout.
Difficulty opening your eyes because of tiredness or eye strain should go away after you rest your eyes. If you struggle consistently with sleep and fatigue, consult your family doctor for solutions to your sleep troubles.
Undiagnosed refractive errors and overusing screens can cause eye strain. If you struggle consistently with eye strain, consider booking an eye exam with your optometrist to find an eye strain solution.
When to Consult a Medical Professional
If you’re having a little trouble opening your eyes, it’s probably due to something common like allergies or being tired. These usually clear up quickly. But, if you’re struggling to open your eyes regularly or feel pain when you try, it’s best to check in with a doctor or optometrist. They can help find out what’s going on and find a solution to help heal your eyes. At Total Vision Long Beach, we offer a variety of treatment options for eye conditions that might be making it hard for you to open your eyes. To get started on your eye health journey, book an appointment with us today!
