What is a floppy eyelid syndrome?
Floppy eyelid syndrome is when the eyelids are loose and stretchy and flip over easily, especially the upper lid. Sleeping on your side causes the pillow to rub the eyelid and flip it over. The delicate inside surface of the eyelid then rubs against the pillow and becomes rough and inflamed. When you wake up, the eyelid flips back to normal and the rough inside surface of the eyelid rubs the surface of your eye.
What causes floppy eyelid syndrome?
We do not know the cause of floppy eyelid syndrome, however we know it to be associated with being male, being overweight and with sleep apnoea.
What are the symptoms of floppy eyelid syndrome?
Longstanding redness and irritation of the eye are common, as is chronic mucous discharge, typically worse on the side the patient sleeps on. The condition is commonly misdiagnosed as infective conjunctivitis and treated with antibiotics with no benefit.
What is the treatment for floppy eyelid syndrome?
Non-surgical treatments include thick lubricants during the day and ointment at night to cover the delicate surfaces of the eye and eyelid. An eye shield at night can help reduce flipping over of the eyelid and rubbing. A short course of steroids may help reduce the irritation.
Surgical treatments include tightening or lifting of the lids, although the effects are usually temporary as the tissue is abnormal.
If there are problems with sleep a referral to a sleep specialist is warranted.