Have you ever caught a glimpse of a friend or relative sleeping and noticed that the person’s eyes were slightly open? While it can be both amusing and unsettling, what many people don’t realize is that it’s also a sign of a medical condition.  
Lagophthalmos, from the Greek word for “hare” because the animal sleeps with its eyes open, is a condition marked by the inability to fully close the eyes. It’s caused by a problem with a facial nerve called the seventh cranial nerve, which is responsible for closing the eyelids and raising the eyebrows. It can be caused by many things, including:
- Damage to eyelid tissue
- Grave’s disease
- Trauma
- Complication in eyelid surgery
- Bell’s palsy
- Thyroid disease
One of the biggest problems patients with lagophthalmos face is dry eye syndrome. Since the eyes cannot close all the way, they quickly become dry and irritated. Many patients experience watery eyes due to excessive tear production as the body tries to correct the dry eyes naturally and overcompensates.
Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and is decided on an individual basis. If a patient only experiences issues while sleeping, a mask can be used that prevents tears from evaporating and keeps the eyes moist throughout the night. If the condition is severe enough that the patient can’t close their eyes when blinking, surgery may be necessary.
There are several surgical options for patients who decide it’s the best treatment for their lagophthalmos. In a procedure called tarsorrhaphy, the eyelids can be sewn together very minimally to help minimize the opening and protect the cornea. Another surgical option may come as a surprise for many. Small gold (or platinum for those allergic to gold) weights that help the patient open and close their eyes can be surgically implanted in the eyelids. The weights usually only weigh around half a gram.
There are many surgical and non-surgical treatment options when it comes to lagophthalmos. To schedule an appointment for an evaluation, call Advanced Eyelid Surgery Center at 817-778-4444.
