one eye slow to "wake up"

When I wake up in the morning, my left eye seems to take a little longer to wake up than the right. It's an effort to open the lid, and then it's difficult to see or focus on anything with both eyes until I've blinked repeatedly and moved my eyes right and left and up and down fairly vigorously. When I do this, I have the sensation that the sluggish eye "drags" in some places. After about a minute, my eye "wakes up" and my vision clears.

In addition, I'm having some eye dryness and itchiness, possibly also a change in vision, more difficulty focusing.

What could be causing this?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Eye dryness is the most common, especially if you've had eyelid surgery, facial paralysis or sleep with your eye open. Try Genteal Gel in both eyes at bedtime, warm water and artifical tears upon awakening. Don't sleep under a fan or air condition/heating grate.

JCH III MD

[spiruet]

Dear Sir,

I have the same problem. No facial paralysis, no eyelid surgery and no open eye sleep, no fan or A/C in my bedroom. And this is happening for 5 month now.
Only a opening delay for the right eyelid in the morning and the a much smaller delay during the day.

I have been seen by the ophthalmologist and by the neurologist (nothing). They recommended, for my peace of mind, cerebral and orbital MRI. Should I go for it (it is very expensive here in Romania - only in private clinics).

What could be the problem?

PS: I am studying to become an ophthalmologist (funny, isn't it)