Can I go blind if I can no longer blink? I also have a cataract.?

I am asking these questions on behalf of my 75 year old Mother, who recently had an ischemic stroke in April and from the affects of the stroke my mother is no longer able to blink only from her (R) eye. Her eye seems to be painful and is receiving eye drops to help with dry eye.

She was seen by an optometrist in the fall and was informed that she has a cataract in that same eye (R).

She suffers with daily blurred vision and is fearful that she will lose her eyesight if she watches television, only because it seems to bother her.

If there is away that you could put her mind at ease and reassure her that this would not happen I feel that she would perhaps be more settling.

Can you suggest something for her in away of comfort and let us know if it would be essential to cover her eye with a patch?

My mother is a resident in a nursing home since her stroke and perhaps there is more they can do for her.

Sincerely,
Rose

You can go blind from not blinking - this is because the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) dries out. That's why the eye drops were prescribed - to keep the eye moist until the brain recovers enough to blink the eye.

If the eye drops are not sufficient to relieve the pain, you might ask the doctor about increasing the frequency of eye drop usage or about using an eye ointment like Lacrilube - often the ointment lasts longer because it's thicker.

The cataract doesn't have anything to do with the stroke - rather, it's when a part of the lens gets cloudy. This happens as the eye is exposed to UV light so it's VERY common for older folks to have them. Some cataracts are small and won't bother folks, other cataracts are large enough for the opthalmologist to recommend removal.

No troubles with watching TV - this will not damage the eyes.

Good luck!

She needs to stop going to the optometrist and start going to an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist address issues of eye-health, where an optometrist can only prescribe glasses/contacts.