Hi folks. This may be a shot in the dark, but I am wondering whether there may be a relationship between a drooping left eye and LBD. My LO lost the sight in her left eye many years ago from a benign tumor. However, I can tell when she is having a bad day when her left eye droops. I recently read Thomas Graboys' book "Life in the Balance" and I see that his left eye droops. I have noticed this in other people who have dementia at Mom's ALF. Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes, "Life in the Balance" was a wonderful book. I'm considering whether I should read it to my LO. I think it may inspire her, but I'm not sure whether it is a good idea. He has more resources; more money and support than my family. I think that she would want to share her experiences and do more, but the honest truth is that I and my husband make it possible for her to do as much as she does now. And I work full time. Life in the balance, indeed.

This is probably a good question for your mother's MD. I assume that any of us may have strange body quirks -- things that droop or turn red or whatever when we are fatigued, hot, cold, etc.

Nothing scientic, but I can tell you that each time my husband has a "bad day" his right eye droops. I don't know the connection but I have noticed it for a couple of years, and it's a consistent effect.

Frank's right eye is drooping but one of his scans showed he has had several mini strokes so I think that was the cause. But who knows, it is interesting and challenging to try to connect the dots. It's just a crap shoot.

My dad's right eye seems slightly droopy lately, but it also appears "dull", like he is blind in that eye. He does have a cataract in one eye (I forget which one) that he as refused to have surgery on, so that might be the cause of his eye just kind of "checking out" because he can't see well.

If a drooping eyelid is related to LBD, it could a very early indicator. When I was a child, my dad warned me that when Mother's left eyelid dropped, it was a sign we were in real trouble.

Garnet

My husband's right eye droops but it's been like that for at least 25 years. However, about the time he developed it, he was hospitalized for what seemed to be a brain stem CVA: Couldn't swallow, had intractable hiccups and malignant hypertension. He was in the ICU at the University of WA hospital, had several MRI's and other tests [I still have the journal I kept] but nothing showed up. He ended up with a tracheostomy and feeding tube, which he had for several months before his swallowing returned. It was a real nightmare. But I often wonder if that episode of brain stem encephalopathy [of unknown origin] had any connection to his later LBD.

My dad is 68 is in his third year of being diagnosed with LB and has a drooping left eye. He has declined significantly in the past two months. It would b good to have this confirmed as an indicator for this disease.

It has been a year since this topic was active, but I have noticed lately that my MIL's left eye remains droopy for longer periods. It used to be just when she woke up, but now it droops a lot of the time and her eyes are more and more vacant. Has anybody from the older posts anything new to report about this topic. And should I bring this up to her doctor?

I think that any change is worth bringing to the doctor's attention. If you can email the doctor that might be a good approach. Does she has an appointment coming up?

My daughter is an epileptic from a young child and when she is having an off day with headache her one eye droops also for as long as I can remember so I am not sure how much this could be related to your LO but it is a good question for her Doctor !

Donna,
Having a vacant look in the eyes is part of many dementing illnesses. If "droopy" means looking like someone just woke up, with eyelids at half-mast or lower, then this sounds quite normal with many neurodegenerative disorders that include fatigue. Also, in PD and PD-related disorders, blepharospasm could account for some of the eyelid-not-opening-fully symptom.
Robin

Update on droopy eye: my MIL had a small seizure after I posted. She slept afterwards and the droop improved. I will pay more attention to the droopy eye in the future and alert her caregiver. Will report incident today to her doctor. Thanks everyone.

Donna,
I suspected that ! Thanks for passing the update along here !

Recently my lo has kept his right eye shut. When I ask he says he doesn't know. I don't think he is even aware of it. Amvicki