Treatment of Lagophthalmos

• Medical

  Goal: Maintaining a normal corneal epithelium
  • Temporary: Lubrication, moisture chamber
    Used at varying intervals
    Ointments are more effective in corneal protection; however, they often substantially blur vision.
    If this is not effective or if {the} paralysis is expected to persist, more permanent therapy would include procedures which narrow {the} palpebral fissure such as tarrsorhaphy (see below)

    • Blinkeze™ External Lid Weights provide an immediate, voluntary blink mechanism for treating ocular exposure associated with temporary facial paralysis such as Bell's palsy.

      BENEFITS

      Effective non-surgical eyelid closure treatment
      Superior patient comfort and ease of use
      • Simplifies supportive eye care
      • Enhanced patient satisfaction
      
      

      Blinkeze Treatment Kit

• Surgical (usually wait several months)
  • Goal: Closure of {the} eyelids to narrow {the} palpebral fissure and decrease evaporation.
    • Horizontal Closure
      • Permanent: lateral tarsorraphy Tarsorrhaphy has been {the} standard method of managing exposure keratitis and is often effective if large enough.
        large tarsorrhaphies might possibly be disfiguring and limit peripheral vision.
        a lateral tarsorrhaphy of
      Medial tarsorrhaphies
      • more disfiguring
      • generally used as a last resort in managing surface exposure.
    • Vertical Closure
    • Lower-lid elevation with spacers
    • fascia lata or silicone sling to lower eyelid
    • Hard palate or Alloderm implant
    • Midface lift
    • Upper eyelid lowering
      
      
      gold weight (e.g. Lid Load) insertion a light (1 mg weight ) manufactured by various companies in weights from 0.6 to 1.6 grams might possibly be fixed to pretarsal space of {the} upper eyelid.
      The weight allows {the} eyelid to close more easily.
      The weights might possibly be taped to {the} pretarsal portion of {the} upper lid to determine which size will be needed to reduce {the} Lagophthalmos.
      Excess weight might possibly cause Ptosis.
    • Implantation involves an incision at {the} upper lid crease which exposes {the} anterior surface of {the} tarsal plate. The weight is then secured in position

Lagophthalmos: Patients with lagophthalmos have an inability to close eyelids. This might possibly occur, for instance, in patients with Thyroid eye disease. Visit {the} lagophthalmos page for more details.

Ptosis: Ptosis is may also be called Blepharoptosis. It refers to an eyelid which is droopy. This might possibly cause a loss of vision, especially while reading, headaches, and eyebrow strain. Please click on {the} Ptosis page for more details.