Patients with lagopthalmos (inability to close their eyelids) have several treatment options available to them:

Treatment

Lubrication

Ointments are very effective in protecting the cornea, but they often result in substantially blurred vision.

Eyelid weights
External lid weights provide an immediate, voluntary blink mechanism for treating ocular exposure associated with temporary facial paralysis such as Bell's palsy. This option is non-surgical and offers excellent comfort and ease of use.

Surgery

Horizontal Closure (lateral tarsorraphy)
This has been the standard method of managing inflammation of the cornea (exposure keratitis) and is often effective if large enough. However, large tarsorrhaphies may be disfiguring and limit peripheral vision. Medial tarsorrhaphies are more disfiguring and are generally used as a last resort.

Vertical Closure

  • lower-lid elevation
  • fascia lata or silicone sling to the lower eyelid
  • hard palate or Alloderm implant
  • midface lift


Upper Eyelid Lowering

  • Inserting a gold weight (0.6 to 1.6 grams) in the upper eyelid
  • The surgeon makes an incision at the upper lid crease and secures the weight in position. 
  • The weight allows the eyelid to close more easily.
  • Excess weight, however, may cause ptosis (eyelid droop).