Eye closes when eating, and constant tearing

[Boise Jim]

Yeah, you read right! Whenever I eat, my right eye (AN side) closes on its own, and won't open again until I'm done chewing. Funny thing is, I've never been able to wink with that eye, either.
Also, anyone else out there have a problem with their AN side eye constantly tearing up? Beyond frustrating.
Two years out from GK.

[robertwh2]

6.5 years post op and I still get the watery eye on the AN side. Not real bad but it happens several times a week. Could be eating dinner, watching tv, or working. No real trigger.

[rgrchrch]

My eye sometimes closes when I eat. I had Retro Sigmoid 4/2015. Prior to that I had Gamma Knife in 11/2011. GK did little but prolonge the enevitable.
Tumor was 3.6cmX3.1cm when we had it removed...(mostly removed). I followed up the surgery with CyberKnife 4/2016 to try to get remainder.
Anyhow, my eye appears to be lubricating at a minimum level. I cannot tear up enough to remove any debris, but have little to no irritation most of the time.
I do maintenance work for a living and it sucks having to flush eye all the time.
 

[jeeper182]

Had GK on 5-12-16. Developed facial nerve issues: could not close eye all the way & could not whistle. These things resolved, but in the last few months I have noticed that my eye is closing when eating. Then I noticed that it closes when I purse my lips (try it!). I believe that is called synkinesis (certain muscles moving when they are not supposed to).
If anybody knows if this issue resolves or if there is a way to treat it, please let me know. I don't find it to be too awful, but it is annoying. Most annoying is that I have not been able to wear my contact lenses. Still hopeful, though!

[Patricks]

Constantly tearing is better than dry eye

[JLR]

I have noticed in past day that my eye now closes when I don't want it to. Will this get better. It's becoming a bit overwhelming this dam journey dealing with post operative changes.

[LakeErie]

Hyperlacrimation, excess tearing, is a symptom of synkinesis, and I experience it, especially outdoors. I also have what the ophthamologist calls " jaw - wink " which is the connection between moving one facial muscle and another usually unconnected muscle moves, too.  When I yawn, my eye closes, when I chew my eye feels like it is squinting. Pursing my lips causes squinting, too. shutting my eye tightly makes my chin move.
There is no medical treatment for synkinesis according to my two doctors, but some retraining exercises help some people. I am hoping it doesn't get worse, I can live with the current extent of my synkinesis just fine, I seem to notice it less as time passes. Good luck

[JLR]

Thanks a lot for your info. I do not have any tearing. But yes when I squint the eye wants to close. I've also notice that when I purse my lips my mouth leans to the right. My face is no longer symmetrical. I'm 9 months post op and I'm hoping for a near successful recovery at a year. I hope that's possible. Thanks again for your thoughtful response. Joan

[Frederic]

Hi,

One year after my surgery and I have had exactly the same issue since the surgery. My eye closes when eating and tears continuously.

Frustrating I know, doctor says to be patient it might still improve.

After all the issues I have and still am experiencing I can but only keep hoping for improvement.

[JLR]

Now my eye closes when I smile. What should I do. Will this get better or worse. Thanks Joan (oh nov is one year post op for retro sig)