Eyelids stuck to eyeball at night

Hello @kathleenintexas, There is an older discussion that sounds much like the symptoms that you describe.

--- blepharospasms and Blepharitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/blepharospasms-and-blepharitis/

Also, Mayo Clinic has some information on the condition that might be helpful:
"Blepharitis is an inflammation along the edges of the eyelids. The eyelids can become irritated and itchy, and appear greasy and crusted with scales that cling to the lashes. People with blepharitis sometimes wake with their eyelids stuck together."
--- Blepharitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/blepharitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20370141

Does this seem to fit your symptoms?

I had something similar years ago and it was caused by extreme dry eyes and inflammation under my eyelids & allergies. It was so painful. We had a horrible allergy season that year. I was given prescription steroid drops, put on Restasis (prescription) and over the counter Systane Complete. It didn't clear up overnight. So far years later, I have not had another flare up. I am so sorry. Praying you get better.

@kathleenintexas yes. My eyes were horribly dry. My eyelids stuck to my eyeballs…awful. I went to see a corneal specialist who diagnosed me with a rare eye disease. Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis or SLK…
I tried eye drops, nonprescription contacts to protect the cornea, tear duct plugs with moderate success. That was about 14 years ago. I’m better now though I sometimes ignore the dryness when it’s mild. Dry eyes make my vision blurry so I really need to stay after them.

@covidstinks2023 sounds like you also have SLK. Inflammation under the eyelid that scrapes the cornea. I had Restasis but was allergic to it.

@johnbishop hi John look up Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis. I have that and I think it might be the issue here.

@kathleenintexas, Here is some information @SusanEllen66 mentioned she has and thinks it might be the same as what you are describing.

"Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis: The cause of this form isn’t known, but it’s not contagious. One theory is that it comes from constant friction in your eye. It often happens around age 60 and is more common in women and people assigned female at birth than in men and people assigned male at birth. It may be associated with thyroid disease. Another disorder called contact lens-induced superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis can affect people who wear soft contact lenses and use a certain kind of contact lens solution."
--- Keratoconjunctivitis: What It Is, Types & Causes: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23551-keratoconjunctivitis

hi, i had this too, ophthalmologist said eyes were severely dry, and shoot i forget what she did! go to an ophthalmologist. , sorry i couldn't be of mire help. if i remember i will return.

@johnbishop @kathleenintexas
This is great information. The only problem I see is that what I have, my SLK was not caused by anything listed. No contacts or thyroid problems. We don’t know why I have it…

Do you have allergies? Allergies can cause dry eyes and just the aging process can cause dry eyes. Are you on the computer a lot? We tend to not blink as much at the computer and our eyes can get dry from that. I am so sorry that you are battling this. It is no fun.

@covidstinks2023 no. It’s way more than dry eyes. When the doctor looked under my upper lid he knew right away what the problem was. My corneas, under my lids are very red, inflamed and sore. He explained that the inflammation caused my eyelids to become swollen and tight across my eyeball. So, every blink caused my lid to scratch my cornea. It was painful when it was flared up. He gave me non prescription contacts as “bandages”. When I wore them it gave me relief because they prevented the lids from touching the corneas when I blinked.
Now, years later I have dry eyes like everyone else. I understand the eye disease I had has gone away for now, however it can reappear at anytime.

Inflammation is the main problem I have in my entire body. It affects me in many ways and I’m sure this is just part of my problem.