Why does my mother keep her eyes closed?

Patients with dementia will close their eyes. Why? Try asking your mother, but if she is non-responsive, then you will never know. You cannot take her to an optometrist because she will not be able to help with the examination. Don't worry about it. Just keep caring for her and know you are a good daughter!

My Mother does the same. She has dementia and macular degeneration. She gets the crusty eyelids, too. We have drops for her. I am always cleaning her eyes with pure water and Cotten pad. And her nose and ears. I'm like a mama cat with her. She is legally blind, but she will often open her eyes and look right at me, try to smile. Kills me:(

My mother is 96 and has recently started to close her eyes so much. When I ask her why her eyes are closed she says she doesn't know. I came on line to see if I could find out more about this but reading some of these comments has given me comfort in at least knowing that I am not alone. She has early dementia, too, but is in no pain and is a very cheery, happy, lovely lady. I will do what many have written and just accept it, try not to worry and just continue to look after her with love and care. Thank you.

Christina, my mom had macular degeneration. I missed her looking at me so much. It was always off to the side. I hate that disease. You are a good daughter.

One reason they keep their eyes closed is to shut out overwhelming visual stimulation(which is normal stuff but not anymore) that confuses & scares them & can contribute to delirium agitation anxiety fear.The dementia is advancing,It's not a good sign, usually associated with advanced dementia.Usually the beginning of shutting down.It can be pain,constipation,infection,pain killers..so many things can cause delirium.Some are like this for years, some are shutting down.They are frightened & are trying to block it out.

Hi, this has happened 2 times in the past 8 months to my 92 yr old mother who has lived with us for 6 yrs and has dementia. She spent time over to my sisters house and didnt seem comfortable.... but we left her anyways thinking she would be fine (she used to spend whole summers with my sister). My sister called me and said she has been trying to get mom to open her eyes and she was shaking and whinning. So she called an ambulance and went to the hospital. My wife and I got there and went to either side of the bed and told her to calm down and relax (in a quiet soothing voice) she recognized our voice and stopped shaking and we had her eyes open in 5 mins. She wouldnt open them for over an hour for my sister. We were told it was an anxiety attack. She has done this one other time when she wasnt in her normal "element". She seems to like the same routine. Hope this helps. Carl

My dad is 96 and his dementia has progressed over the last few years......he rarely opens his eyes, even when I feed him. He is complete care and we have him home with us, but he is almost non-verbal these days. It's helpful to know that others have noticed the eye closing thing, too.......I just wonder why? He is constantly picking, too......we have give him a washcloth to hold and that helps a bit. I'm glad I found this site........it helps to know other are going through this.

Have you taken her to get her eyes examine? Could be she is sensitive to light. Just a thought.

I immediately thought of my dad who will say "I'm just resting my eyes."

I think it is a comfort measure.