Sleeping with eyes partially open

[aegis]

Does anyone else have this problem, because I think it may be the cause of my red eyes? I've been told by people who have seen me sleep that I sleep with my lids partially open. I do wear contact lenses, but it does not seem to effect the level of redness in my eyes. I have gone months without wearing them in the past, and they are still red.

The only time they feel very dry is when I wake up in the morning. About 20-30 minutes after I wake up, the dryness goes away but they are still red. Clear Eyes gets rid of the redness, but it's only temporary. It wears off after about 30 minutes.

I don't have any swelling of the eyelids, and an optometrist has told me that my eyes are perfectly healthy. Does anyone else have this problem and know how to solve it?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Mario111]

..

sorry im not sure if it's gonna be relevant because im not a specialist, but you may read about Floppy lid syndrome, a good article is at REview of optometry site : http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/March_2004/sec1_1.htm
i think there were some more info at http://www.bloodshoteyes.org
again im not sure if its relevant sorry if not

[Francesco]

aegis, my doctor told me that i might have that problem too..but onestly i don't believe all the redness comes from that..i mean i read that 5 % - 10 % of the people sleeps with their eyes a little open but i don't think they all have red eyes. yes maybe it can cause a bit of dryness but just that. surely if you sleep with your eyes totally open it would be a problem but i don't think it's your case
anyways do you wake up with discharge???

[Rebecca Petris]

Does anyone else have this problem, because I think it may be the cause of my red eyes?

Lots of people here have it... and it is a common problem that frequently goes undiagnosed. Good night lubrication and a physical barrier over the eyes such as the Tranquileyes goggle are good tools for managing it. If your opening is wide enough that others are noticing it, and your dryness is only in the morning, it's a good bet that it's at least part of your problem.

Clear Eyes gets rid of the redness, but it's only temporary. It wears off after about 30 minutes.

PLEASE DON'T USE THAT STUFF except on rare special occasions. It has a well known rebound effect and it also contains a preservative that is very toxic to the cornea. Regular use is bad for you even if you have nothing else wrong, but with chronic redness (whatever the cause) it is particularly important to avoid harmful eyedrops.

An optometrist has told me that my eyes are perfectly healthy.

All due respect to your optometrist but do not take this as gospel truth. You will find from many members experiences that they went through many doctors before getting an accurate diagnosis. Dry eye (and associated ocular surface diseases including allergies, rosacea, blepharitis etc) is unfortunately an area where it can be hard to get answers without some real persistence.