Blinking

[Granny29335]

My husband has very dry eyes. I thought PSP caused people to not blink as often as usual, but my husband often has rapid eye blinking to the point, it interferes with everything. Can it cause both symptoms depending on the person?

[carehope]

Hi ! Among the many effects of PSP is that the muscles that control eye movement , ability to focus , opening and closing of the the eyes , all of the above and more are affected. Asking your husband some specific questions about what he is experiencing , and what is bothering him regarding his eyes : vision , light sensitivity , dryness , something else , may narrow things down. He may have no control over it . Maybe he is fighting against the difficulty he may be experiencing trying to keep his eyes open . Maybe it is that he cannot keep them closed. Maybe he would feel more comfortable with sunglasses , etc.. If he can communicate with you and vice versa , hopefully you can figure out some answers . There are preservative free lubricating drops that are OTC that will sooth and help prevent/treat irritated /dry eyes . There is no limit as to how many times a day they can be used.

Trial and error as with many afflictions will often bear fruit and hopefully help your husband.

Enlist professional input if you think that's the way to go.

Good luck and regards to you and your husband !

Elise in NY , USA

[Granny29335 in reply to carehope]

Thank you very much.

[Rose1sunflower]

As carehope says PSP affects the muscles that control eye movement. My husband doesn’t have rapid eye blinking but the opposite. In agreement with carehope that preservative free eye drops used regularly help. Wrap around glasses good too for light sensitivity. Other times he uses heated eye mask or just a flannel and warm water to give some relief.

[Goodbyecruelworld in reply to Rose1sunflower]

Ihavetheopositeproblemmyeyewaterconstantly

[LuisRodicioRodicio]

Hi Granny29335!

These are our experiences and informations about eye problems on PSP:

• Dry eyes/watery eyes.

The first thing is to evaluate if there is any damage to the cornea.

Consulting an ophthalmologist who has experience in PSP is recommended.

Erosions in the cornea have been described that lead to a blinking higher than normal that leads to further irritation of the cornea ("AJK2001").

If there is not a problema with cornea have in mind dry eyes is a classic problema and drops of artificial tears to the eyes or physiological serum upon request (more often as the disease progresses) is a good solution.

If you have problems applying the drops "Optrex spray" is an alternative. Also warm moist compresses help. Wash your hands beforehand and clean the eyelids with not irritating baby shampoo. and after use a gauze sterilized by each eye, moistened in physiological serum.

Attention. It can be also an allergic problem.

To improve the lubrication of the eye we have tested "Hycosan Extra" (Sodium hyaluronate 0.2%) (Aquoral is similar product) by applying it 3 times a day. It bothers a little in the first seconds after applying. Our experience has been positive and we have noticed that the internal redness of the eyelids has diminished.

For hydration,Systane Hydration UD helps but nothing really works for long. ("Hound25").

"Sebuly14" make this contribution for the problem of eye watering:

“The ophthalmologist said that the eyes of the patient were dry and the surface of his eyes was wrinkled from the dryness. The oil glands in his eyelids were also clogged. I treat his eyes every morning doing the following:

• Moist heat to his eyelids for 5 minutes to help clear the clogged oil glands

• Clean his eyelids with an eyelid cleaner

• Put drops in his eyes

I have been doing this for 2 years and it definitely helps. The ophthalmologist says his eyes are mush better.

This what "Sebuly14" use:

- Optase Moist Heat Mask.

- Optase Eyelid Cleansing Wipes Preservative Free.

- Optase Dry Eye Intense Drops Preservative Free.”

• Clarity produces "photophobia" and irritation of the internal eyelids. The patient used sunglasses frequently and applied artificial tear drops or saline serum upon request (At least 3 times a day). Sometimes suffers headaches and eyes pain on afternoons. We suspect that the origin is photophobia. We usually neutralize them with paracetamol.

• If in the morning the eyelids may appear "stuck". To avoid it put eye ointment in at night to help lubricant the eyes. It is also possible that the eye may not stay closed all night and it dries the corneas. The ointment is: 97% petroleum jelly and 3% mineral oil. Xialing or cod liver oil capsule can work also ("Afar").

• Blurry eyes may be his not fully closing his eye when he is asleep. The lower part of corneas may be drying out. Are her eye tearing? If so an eye ointment in each eye at night would be good to protect the corneas. Hot compresses on the eyes as well. ("Jeff166")

• "Lizzigator_2022" suggest:”symptom as watery eyes are a sign or ‘dry eyes’ peculiarly which can make the eyes extremely uncomfortable. I use Optrex eye drops and apply it regularly through the day and my mother gets good relief from them and her eyes stop watering. Any off the shelf dry eye product will do the trick.”

• "Railfan" makes this contribution in 2022: ”The eyelid closure is called Blepharospasm. It is a symptom with PSP and may be quickly resolved on its own or it may last a bit. I have this myself. If I cannot open my eyelids then I use my fingers to push them up. PSP is a Movement Disorder and voluntary muscles are the most affected as they are controlled in the Midbrain. The Midbrain is one of the places that the Tau Neurofibrillary Tangles. The muscles that control the eyelids is above each eye. By pushing the eyelid up you push the bottom of that muscle up”.

• If the PSP patient complains about double vision and often sits with one hand over one eye…"Millidog" contribution in 2022: “There are usually specialists who can help by checking double /blurred vision and vertical and horizontal gaze and they can prescribe prisms. Once tested my husband was provided with a prism sticker for one eye lens and it works well. They provide this as a stick on as changes may occur in future and they invite him back every 3 months to check progress and will alter the prism perscription if required. This has made a massive difference and removes the double vision well.”

Hoping to be useful.

Hug and luck.

Luis

[Granny29335 in reply to LuisRodicioRodicio]

Thank you for all of this information. I will review it and print it all out.

[pmcdonough1 in reply to LuisRodicioRodicio]

There is an ointment that mights fungus that grows on the eye lash line. My husband had this and the doctor prescribed an ointment to treat the fungus.It worked great to keep the eye lashes from becoming stuck together. The doctor told me to have my husband close his eye and put a small amount on my clean finger and wipe it along the lash line.