Eye Dilation

I have had this increased blinking (very increased) for about 2years. it causes me to rub my eyes alot and its very distracting to me and others. my eyes feel dry even though they are not and i dont know why. two years ago i went to my eye doctor and he had a replacement for the day. the eye doctor dilated my eyes (this is the first time i have ever had this done) then did the things he needed to do. about 15mins later he had me put my new contacts in. a few days later i was blinking more that normal. i didnt pay it to much attention. its gotten worse since then. i use the same solution and the same contacts. the only variable that changed was the dilation. every time i go to the eye doctor ( a new one) i ask about the dilation and ive been told that i should not have been instructed to put my contacts in so soon. would that have anything to do with it? ive tried many different solutions, eye drops, and even when i take the contacts out it still does it. i can control it a little but its not that easy to do. no one has heard of this before. would the dilation and the fact that the contacts were put on early, have anything to do with it? how could i fix it or decrease it some?    Thank you in advance for any help

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

From all the blinking you are describing you could possible have a mild case of essential blepharospasm.  It seems to me that you might not be a good candidate for contact lenses and that could be a big part of your problem.  Putting the contacts back in, soon after the eye exam could possible cause a little more irritation but nothing that would not usually resolve in  day or so.  You need a careful and serious evaluation of the excessive blinking with strong attention to possible allergies or intolerance of contact lenses.  Also essential blepharospasm should be looked into.  You may need to change contacts and or solution and possibly stop contacts.  Also dry eye and allergy treatments may need to be considered.

MJK MD