Correcting Lagophthalmos and lateral scleral showing?

I have lagophthalmos, and I no longer want my eyes stuck together, giving me a strange look at 28 years of age. I already had canthopexy done and it left one of my eyes with scleral area visible at the bottom. Can these problems be corrected, taking cosmetic appearance into consideration?

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6 answers to “Correcting Lagophthalmos and lateral...”

A: Depends on muscles ability to close eyelid normally

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

These conditions can be corrected, but it depends upon the ability of the muscle function to be able to close the eyelid normally. There must be an underlying reason that a 28-year-old patient underwent a canthoplasty or canthopexy for which was not stated in the question. Scleral show can be corrected by... more

A: Correcting lagopthalmos and lateral scleral showing

By Harrison C. Putman III, MD - Peoria Facial Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately, this can be a difficult problem which may require several maneuvers to correct. This may include a mucosal or Alloderm conjunctival graft for the inner lamella, complete arcus marginalis release with midface/ cheek lift, canthal surgery, orbicularis suspension, and even skin grafting, although... more

A: Many options for lid lenthening procedures

By Richard Gentile, MD - Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

There are many options for lid lengthening procedures from orbicularis release and volume filling to more complex procedures with implants and lateral canthal tightening. Explore many of them before chosing one, and I would avoid permanent implants if possible.

A: Lagophthalmos

By Daniel Reichner, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

I don't have photographs of your eyes, so it is difficult to give you specific advice. As you know, lagophthalmos is an inability to fully close the upper eyelid. You did not tell us how you developed this conditions; I am assuming that you either had an over-aggressive blepharoplasty, a facial nerve... more

A: Yes

By Scott E. Kasden, MD - Dallas Plastic Surgeon

You have a complex situation here, but not impossible. I also recommend finding an eyelid specialist. Although most plastic surgeons do eyelids, some feel more comfortable treating complex problems like yours. If your surgeon doesn't feel comfortable, ask for a recommendation.

A: Absolutely yes but you need to go to a doctor who specializes in this work.

By Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD - Los Angeles Oculoplastic surgeon

Dear Jadeno.05 You did not share with us you pictures. You also did not say how you developed lagophthalmos, which means that your eyelids do not close. Isolated canthoplasty can elevate the lower eyelid but at the risk of altering the shape of the lower eyelid. People who have prominent eyes often find that... more

Comments

jadeno.05
8 posts
7 Mar 2009

hello, thankyou for your answers and yes i checked out your sites really good work... But i live in australia sydney.. do you know anyone who performs this kind of thing in sydney? you asked how lagopthpalmos resulted.. i did have fat removed from upper and lower eyelid .. after that the whites of my eyes were showing from the bottom... later i asked another surgeon the fix the problem instead he made my eyelids so small.(canthopexy)....! and yet i ended up with this complication; lagophthalmos and one eye lower then the other... the right eye isn't that bad.. i do have dry eyes... and i wrap my eyes with glad wrap to generate productive tear flow during sleep.. with ointments... the left eye has 3mm difference with the closure of the eye and 2mm with the right.. the left eye feels like its twitching but the eye doctor said he hasnt detected anything... but it does feel like its twitching... Ok,,,, Is it possible for my problem to be fixed and still look human! i dont want my lower eyelids to be shortened again...! is there other ways??? please please please! help.... and i have been reading that lagophthalmos will lead to blindness eventually... is this true???...!!!! im really affraid... will i go blind eventually? my doc said my vision is 6/6 .. the ocular surface exhibits areas of dryness with non-confluent corneal epitheliopathy in the lower 10% of the left cornea with no epitheliopathy on the right but certainly a decrease tear break up time. .. he noted that i do produce an adequate amount of tears as avidenced by a normal schirmer's tear test. there is no upper lid malpostion. the lower lid on the left shows slight lateral cleral show an both lower eyelids show reduced eyelid excursion, consistent with precious eyelid surgery. can this problem be fixed with midface lift???? i dont want my lidssss stitched together!!!... and will i go blind eventually???? how can i stop from going blind...??? can using eye ointments and night glad wrapping the eyes help and by doing this can i avoid from getting blind??? ---- and also one you smart doctors said a hard palate graft from the roof of the mouth can lengthen the eyelid from behind.... can you please explain this more??? does the graft add more length to the eyelid??? and does it lenthen it from behind??? and also doc also quoted "may reaquire placement of orbital rim implant made from ePATAFE to hold the wight of the cheek... -->sound good and all but what is ePTFE??? and how does it work? is this performed with a midlift?? or can it be performed alone?? if any more suggestionssss please please let me know....:((((.... thankyou