Lagophthalmos

Classification according to ICD-10
H02.2	Lagophthalmos
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

Lagophthalmus ( Greek  λαγῶς lagôs 'rabbit' and Greek  ὀφθαλμός ophthalmós 'eye' - German: 'rabbit eye') is a symptom from ophthalmology and neurology , which represents the incomplete lid closure of one, more rarely both eyes . The inability to fully close the eyelid can vary depending on the cause. The name results from the mistaken assumption that rabbits never close their eyes, not even when sleeping.

causes

The most common cause of a Lagophthalmus is a peripheral paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve , the facial nerve , wherein the annular eye muscle orbicularis oculi is affected. In addition, scars and the resulting shortening of the eyelids can cause lagophthalmos, as can exophthalmos . Other causes can be the coma or a misalignment of the eyelid ( ectropion ). A leprosy infection of the eyelids can lead to a lagophthalmos.

Concomitant symptoms and consequences

Incomplete lid closure can lead to the cornea drying out , known as xerophthalmia . Patients therefore complain of burning, dryness and a feeling of foreign bodies in the eye. In addition, keratitis e lagophthalmo can develop, an inflammation of the cornea, which can also lead to an ulcer, a so-called corneal ulcer . When trying to close the eyelid, what is known as Bell’s phenomenon becomes visible, a temporal upward rotation of the eyeball. By the reduced blink there is also a restriction in the flow of the tear fluid and subsequently epiphora . A very mild lesion can be indicated by a positive eyelash sign .

therapy

There are tear replacement fluid and ointments used, if necessary, a moisture chamber , which drying of the cornea should also prevent the night. Even soft contact lenses can protect from drying the eye. Surgical measures can be considered for an ectropion . A temporary closure of the eyelid gap can be surgically performed (so-called tarsoraphy ). A keratitis and ulcer are usually antibiotic treatment.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Pschyrembel clinical dictionary. With clinical syndromes and nouns anatomica. = Clinical Dictionary. Edited by the publisher's dictionary editor under the direction of Christoph Zink. 256th, revised edition. de Gruyter, Berlin et al. 1990, ISBN 3-11-010881-X .
2. ↑ Herbert Kaufmann (Ed.): Strabismus. 3rd, fundamentally revised and expanded edition. Georg Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 2003, ISBN 3-13-129723-9 , p. 424.
3. ↑ Florian von Heintze: Animals and habitats . Verlag Wissen media, 1st edition 2006; ISBN 978-3-577-07554-1 , p. 213.
4. ↑ Walter H. Leicht: Ethology of native mammals. Volume 1: Animals of the open cultural landscape. Part 1: Brown hare, wild rabbit , Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg 1979, ISBN 978-3494009377
5. ^ Rudolf Sachsenweger : Neuroophthalmology. 3rd, revised edition. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 1982, ISBN 3-13-531003-5 , p. 388.
6. ↑ BVA and DOG guidelines: malposition of the eyelids / tear problems, tumors of the eyelids. (PDF; 77 kB)

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !