Treatment of Lagophthalmos with Gold Weight Implantation

ABSTRACT

When an eye is exposed to the air due to lagophthalmos caused by facial nerve paralysis, exposure keratitis, conjunctivitis and corneal damages occur. Artificial tears, soft contact lens, ophthalmic ointments, and tarsorrhaphy have been used for treatment of lagophthalmos to relieve exposure keratopathy. But these trials have little continuity and comfortability and have many cosmetic problems, so that the results have not been satisfactory. We obtained good results by implantation of Gold weight in the upper lid for the treatment of lagophthalmos with complications in 7 cases. In conclusion, the author believes that Gold weight implantation will be a good therapeutic modality for treatment of lagophthalmos.