Floppy Eyelid Syndrome
What is Floppy Eyelid Syndrome?
Floppy eyelid syndrome may be a cause of eye irritation, dryness, or may detract from the overall quality of your vision.
Floppy eyelid syndrome occurs when the skin of the upper eyelid is loose, and is not elastic and tightly adherent over the surface of the eyeball. As a result, the eyelid skin becomes easily stretched.
Floppy eyelid syndrome often affects patients who tend to sleep on their side or stomach, or those who tend to move around a lot while sleeping. In doing so, patients with floppy eyelid syndrome may likely rub their face into the pillow, and the eye may be partially open while the patient is asleep at night, causing their eye to dry out. Many patients will then wake up in the morning with their eyes feeling dry, raw, or irritated. Some patients may feel that their eyes are red when waking up in the morning.
Floppy eyelid syndrome is associated with patients who snore, and obstructive sleep apnea. In general, though floppy eyelid syndrome may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea, only a fraction of patients actually do have obstructive sleep apnea. If this is a concern for you, consider speaking with your primary care doctor about obstructive sleep apnea and a possible sleep study.
Treatment for Floppy Eyelid Syndrome includes:
· Using a nighttime lubricating eye gel or ointment:
· changing your sleep habits, wearing goggles or a sleep mask
· in very severe cases, eyelid surgery
Nighttime Lubricating Eye Gel or Ointment:
Using a lubricating eye gel or ointment at nighttime. This is a thicker version of artificial tears, and may blur your vision, which is why it is used right before bed. It may also cause your eyelids to feel sticky, reducing the chance of your eyelid unintentionally opening at nighttime. Sometimes, small remnants may remain on your eyelashes when you wake up in the morning, which may be removed using any gentle facial cleanser when you wash your face.
Some brands, available over-the-counter from your pharmacy, include:
PM Ointment (Petrolatum & Mineral Oil)
Sleep Habits
Sleep positioning may affect floppy eyelid syndrome. Patients who sleep on their back are less likely to rub their face into the pillow, and dry out their eyes at nighttime. In general, all people move to some extent while sleeping, but very "active" sleepers are most likely to be symptomatic.
Sleep positioning and masks
Symptoms develop because the eyes unintentionally opening at nighttime. Some patients find it helpful to either tape the eyelid shut, or to wear a sleep mask that is very tight, so that it is harder for the eye to open at nighttime when rubbing their face into the pillow. Alternatively, some patients choose to wear swimming goggles, or a sleep mask with cushioned cups over the eyes, so there is no pressure over the eye while sleeping.
An eye exam is the best way to screen for, and evaluate any eye conditions affecting your health, comfort, and quality of vision.