Blepharospasm in left eyelid and severe dryness

[AWadd]

For about 2 weeks now I have been experiencing a twitch in my upper-left eyelid, usually after blinking.  Right eye shows next to no signs of twitch but on occasion can have a mild one or two.  Also, the area behind my lower eyelids is more red than usual and appears somewhat irritated.  Eyelids in general have felt sticky on my eyeball, not smooth as they usually do.  Anyway, just curious if anyone knows how I might get rid of it... kind of annoying.

[barbk399]

A related discussion, blrpharospasm was started.

[Ag-i-doc]

grey:

so sorry.  just noticed the title of the thread says "severe dryness".  sure wish i could "edit" now!  ha!  but alas, i cant.  sorry.

anyway, your sentence was still out of context.  besies, do you really think any eye doc would actually suggest that AT dont work for dryness?

rail away, i guess.

[Ag-i-doc]

grey:  read this post...  you should recognize it...its the original post of this thread:

"For about 2 weeks now I have been experiencing a twitch in my upper-left eyelid, usually after blinking. Right eye shows next to no signs of twitch but on occasion can have a mild one or two. Also, the area behind my lower eyelids is more red than usual and appears somewhat irritated. Eyelids in general have felt sticky on my eyeball, not smooth as they usually do. Anyway, just curious if anyone knows how I might get rid of it... kind of annoying."

do you see the word "dry" in that post anywhere?  if you do, please point it out to me.  

the question is about "twitching", not dryness.  and you suggested AT, which will not work for a twitch.  if you're going to try and answer these questions, you're going to have to start reading/paying attention.  i guess you thought the "eyelids feeling sticky" part of the post was related to dryness...but of course you never actually told the patient thats what you thought...you only suggested AT.  and when read in context, it sounds like you're suggesting AT for twitching.    

[Ag-i-doc]

the stress levels, avoiding caffeine and relaxation i agree with.

the artificial tears i do not.  that doesnt work.

[grayeyes]

WWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTT?  

Forum O.D.:

Why would you suggest that an artificial tear doen't help with dryness.  Are you suggesting something more serious..Restasis?  Punctal Plugs?

I say start simple and see how things are, then get into more serious help for dryness.

[grayeyes]

Decrease your stress levels, avoid cafeine, try some relaxation methods.  

Use an artificial tear that you can buy over the counter to help with dryness.  I like "Blink" and "Refresh Plus" "Celluvisc is also good but may blur your vision for a few minutes because it is very thick.

Let me know if it doesn't go away in a few days.

[AWadd]

I suppose I should have mentioned that it IS intermittant, but does occur often (Usually 3-5 times every hour for about 5 seconds).  I bought some "allergy eyedrops" today to see if they would help, and it seemed as though the redness was alleviated, however, it does still twitch.  I suppose I should give it more time.  Thank you!

[Forum-OD-MP]

its only true blapharospasm if it happens 24/7.  does the twitching occur literally ALL of the time?  if thats the case, you have facial cranial nerve damage, probably from a virus, and you nmay need botox injections.

but i bet that the twitching comes and goes.  does it?  in that case its called MYOKYMIA and is totally benign.  its usually caused by lack of sleep or extra stress.  it can be treated with warm compresses and/or topical (eyedrop) antihistamines...and more sleep.

the redness on the backside of your eyelids sounds like it could be "GPC" if you are a contact lens wearer or "allergic conjunctivitis" if you are not a contact lens wearer.  both would likely need medical intervention to solve...Rx steroid or antihistamine eyedrops.