My father-in-law (92) has scary, glazing eyes one day and the next he is alert and bright eyed. What does that mean?

My dad had the same thing. We could tell by his eyes that it was a "bad" day. You just have to roll with it in general. If you see increased occurances than alert the doctor.
Take care of yourself,
carol

The cause could be from several things. Often, those with dementia have a different look in their eyes, medications can cause such a look, tiredness can cause a vacant look & low blood sugar to name a few. . Just keep an eye on him, pay attention if there are other symptoms and report to his doctor if necessary.

As long as they dont exhibit pain just hold their hand and be there. My mom does it a lot to yet has bright eyed happy days laughing at nothing lol. Her doc said there's no rhyme or reason for it. Roll with the good days and the not so good, it only happens more and more.just be there for them, that is priceless.

I notice that when my dad was having a bad day, he had that far-away look and sometimes his eyes looked pitch black. I am only guessing it has to do with the dementia and maybe the fear that they feel comes thru their eyes. Only God knows for sure, but when having a good day.....they are not like that.

My Mom cannot speak but sometimes, often, she babbles and yahoo's and laughs for hours on end! She entertains herself, but lots of times it happens like all night long which is a drag. I do love hearing it though, and I wonder if she is talking to someone...

I dread the day I can't tell someone that I am having a migraine. Happened to my dad and I could not convince the doc that was it. He could get over it and feel better in a day, but some of our visits were ruined!

It is the disease & presents differently. My husband forgets my name. Do not take things personally.
Medications can also play a HUGE part in this. He is heavily medicated.

Interesting as I have seen this in my spouse (alz) & seems to be the time he will not cooperate. Scary time but gets over it. Latest this happened...I sat him down & went away for 5 min. It was just before our granddaughters wedding & was time for us to be in picture & we could not get him. to get up. He stiffened up & not wanting to cooperate. He finally did but wondered if was strange crowd as he no longer remembers his grown children & me sometimes.

Have any of the doctors suggested Lorazepam or the like to ease these anxiety symptoms? In the later years - I should think that the patient's well-being and comfort would trump any concerns about possible addiction. Of course - do take into account current medications and possible contraindications.

Just be glad he doesn't have that scary look almost all the time like my dad. I tell him about things and what's going on, and, if he even bothers to open his eyes, he just stares at me. He will answer direct questions but with as few words as possible, often, "It don't matter" or "yah."