My 80 year old mother just called me and said she woke up to a terrible pain in her right eye. She put warm compresses on it to help relieve the pain but had no luck. She called the eye doctor early this morning and she went to see him. He said she had blisters on the cornea and when they break open they are very painful. He also stated that it only happens at night and that it is very common and could be serious. Has anyone experienced this and/or know more about it? He gave her eye drops and antibiotics. I am very concerned with her. She is in poor health.

Ouch!

Could be severe dry eye syndrome or glaucoma. Either of which is possible considering your mother's age. The concern here is (especially if this is happening at night) is something called closed angle glaucoma which comes in "attacks" and can blind a person in a few hours if not treated.
Fortunately, preventative surgery can prevent these attacks.

Thanks,

Mike