Injuries, anophthalmia and eyelid scars
Why are injuries and eyelid scars potentially quite dangerous?
A healthy eyelid is strong and is situated in a particular, appropriate position. If the eyelids don’t properly close, there is danger for chronic irritation or even danger for the eye itself.
Lower eyelids
The lower eyelid normally “touches” the colored part of the eye, without exposing the white part of the eye. Below we see the before and after of a lower eyelid that was out of position due to a severe scar, which led to chronic severe irritation. After the repair the eyelid is in normal position and the patient is symptom free.
And below a patient with a skin disease that has pulled the eyelid down. After repair with a graft, the eyelids sit in their normal position.
Upper eyelids
The upper eyelid normally sits between the colorful part of the eye and the central black hole called the pupil. An injury, a nerve palsy or a scar can either drop, pull or inhibit the function of the eyelid.
Inside the upper eyelid there is a strong muscle that is called levator and holds the eyelid in its place. Around the eyelids there is a muscle called orbicularis oculi that closes the eyelids.
An injury can damage the levator, leading to its weakening and thus to an upper eyelid ptosis.
A facial nerve palsy can damage the orbicularis oculi, leading to its weakening and to the inability of the eyelids to close, which is called lagophthalmus.
Here we see an upper eyelid that is abnormally weak due to a facial palsy. The eyelids can’t fully close and the eye remains exposed, leading to continuous exposure and irritation. After the surgical repair with insertion of a gold plate the eyelid returns to its normal function.
And the eyelids can now completely close.
Below we see the opposite, an upper eyelid ptosis after an injury. After the surgical repair the eyelid returns to its normal position.
Upper and lower eyelids
Below we see a case of anophthalmia. This term means that the eye was once seriosuly damaged and was replaced by an artificial eye, which we call prosthesis. Due to a weakness of the patient's eyelids the prosthesis can not fit and falls out. After surgically stabilizing the lids, the prosthesis securely remains in place and the patient can return to his normal lifestyle.
For complex or simple eye or eyelid problems you can contact us and we will help you. Dr Siskos is the only trained oculoplastic surgeon in Thessaly.
Eye and Eyelid clinic
