Eyelid retraction is present when the lids don’t close tight enough, exposing the sclera (the white part of the eye). People affected by it look frightened or wide-eyed.
The most frequent causes are thyroid eye disease or Basedow Graves disease, traumas, eye cancer or previous blepharoplasties.

The eyelid retraction may have serious esthethic and functional consequences: an abnormal wide-eye gaze which seems ‘scared’ and an tear film insufficiency, which determines tearing (epiphora) and dry eye (eye dryness) which may lead to severe corneal discomfort and decompensation.

CAN I UNDERGO THE OPERATION FOR EYELID RETRACTION?

The operation is recommended for both functional and aesthetic reasons when:

• Patients complain an aesthetic discomfort and embarrassment because of a look which does not reflect their personality and how they feel.
• The exposed eye surface causes chronic conjunctival irritation, photophobia, tearing. The most serious complication due to eyelid retraction is keratopathy from exposure which may lead to corneal ulcers.

WHAT DOES THE EYELID RETRACTION TREATMENT CONSIST OF?

Local medication with drops, eye creams or therapeutic contact lenses aim at reducing the irritation due to incomplete eyelid closure or reduced blinking.

Therapeutic options are divided in surgical and non-surgical therapies.

• Non-surgical treatments comprise Bottox injections and topical Cortisone shots. These are therapies which may require more than one treatment based on the patient’s response.
• Surgical treatments are diverse and to be considered based on the medical history of each patient. Among these mullerectomy, cantoplasty, skin implants associated with muscle implants, mid-face lifting.

Each patient will be directed towards the most appropriate and latest surgical treatments according to the latest guidelines set by international surgical associations

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THE EYELID RETRACTION TREATMENT?

The treatment options will be considered with the patient during the initial meeting, during which the patient’s expectations and the expected results will be discussed. The scars, in case a surgery is necessary, are almost invisible because the incisions follow the natural facial folds, the aesthetic results are natural.

The treatment allows a tighter eyelid closing. The patient gets functional and aesthetic benefits from the operation: the lids close better, with a minor possibility of getting hurt and developing corneal ulcers. The eyes will have a more relaxed look and the gaze is less wide and unnatural