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Lagophthalmos - Photo Essay 11

Peter Shah
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Lagophthalmos - Photo Essay 11

Lagophthalmos or incomplete closure of the eyelids is often overlooked during routine clinical examination.  It can be complete in cases of Bells or facial nerve palsy when the patient is asked to voluntarily close the eyelids or quite subtle, being present only during involuntary blinking.  Failure to detect lagophthalmos can result in exposure keratopathy and epithelial defect following otherwise routine eye surgery.  Management involves frequent regular use of non-preserved lubricants and prevention of on-going exposure.

Peter Shah

Professor Peter Shah is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Supra-Regional Glaucoma Specialist at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust. He is also a Visiting Professor to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology). He is Honorary Professor of Glaucoma at the Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement at the University of Wolverhampton.

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