Nocturnal lagophthalmos is a condition where one sleeps without closing eyelids. According to reports, up to 20 percent of people are affected by it. This happens when your eyelids fail to cover your eyes, either partially or fully, while sleeping. According to Dr Inder Maurya – Emergency Medicine & Critical Care, CEO & Founder – Foreign OPD – pathogenesis nocturnal lagophthalmos is poorly understood.
“Nocturnal Lagophthalmos is basically an anomaly of the eyelid. Although its pathogenesis is poorly understood, facial nerve (7th Cranial Nerve) is a causal factor,” Dr Inder Maurya said.
There is not always a reason or an underlying condition that causes nocturnal lagophthalmos. Dr Maurya said that it could be genetic or acquired condition.
“In the second scenario, lagophthalmos can occur as a complication of upper blepharoplasty, which is an operation performed to remove excess skin overlying the upper eyelid (suprapalpebral hooding) that often occurs with the aging.
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is performed to look younger. The procedure is used to treat droopy eyelids.
Talking about the complications, if a person keeps his eyes open while sleeping, they can dry out. Without enough lubrication, the eyes may become more susceptible to infections and can become scratched and damaged.
There are several treatment options. Dr Maurya said that it can be both supportive care and surgical. “Dry eye (exposure keratopahty) is an import complication of the disease,” he said
“Surgical options may include tarsorrhaphy. If unable to receive surgery, patients should be administered refresh tears at least four times per day to the cornea to preserve the tear film and avoid damage to the corneas. However the treatment of choice includes weighing the upper eyelid down by surgically inserting a gold plate,” the doctor added.
