Cleft eyelids: risk factors and treatment

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Hoang Thanh Nga - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. The doctor has 10 years of experience in the field of ophthalmology.
Eyelids play a very important role in the aesthetics and function of the eyes. Cleft eyelid is a condition in which the eyes are not completely protected by the opening and closing of the eyelids. The risk of open eyelids, if not detected and treated, will seriously affect the patient's vision.

1. The role of eyelids

The eyelids are a complex of skin, sphincter, subcutaneous tissue, ciliary cartilage, and ciliary cartilage conjunctiva that cover the entire front of the eye. The eyelids have a closed mechanism to help protect the eyeball and cornea against mechanical injuries from outside impacts and provide the necessary moisture to ensure the normal function of the eyes.
In addition, eyelids also have a role:
Ensure the aesthetics of the eyes, contributing to creating a beautiful eyes. Protects the inner components of the eye, especially the cornea. Prevent dust or foreign objects from entering the eyes. Closed eyelids protect the eyes from drying out while sleeping. When blinking eyelids, tears are spread evenly on the black and white of the eyes to help the eyes stay wet, see clearly and remove dust and bacteria in the eyes.

2. What is cleft eyelid condition?

Cleft eyelid is a condition in which the eyelids are not able to close completely, even when the patient has actively closed their eyes or unconsciously opened them while sleeping.
To identify cleft palate, the doctor will need to check the function of the VII nerve (facial nerve) by asking the patient to close both eyes as if going to sleep or actively close the eyes. If the shape of the eyelids is changed, the tear pumping mechanism is affected, the eyeball surface is damaged, then the patient has opened eyelids.
See more: Is the VII nerve palsy (facial paralysis) dangerous?

3. Causes of open eyelids

Causes of cleft eyelids are very diverse and complicated, can list many different causes such as:
Facial nerve paralysis, affecting the operation of opening and closing eyes. Facial muscles are damaged. Damage to the eye area or tumor. Impact of traumatic brain injury. Due to eye diseases such as protruding eyes, concave eyes, scars... Due to sleep disorders. Complications after plastic surgery (cutting excess skin, removing eye fat...). A few other rare cases are due to genetic causes when many people in the family have the condition. Depending on the case, the symptoms of the disease can cause the eyes to open wide or small while sleeping.
If cleft eyelids are not detected and treated early, it can severely affect the functional activities of the eyes, making it difficult for patients to perform daily activities.

4. Complications of open eyelids

Because it is the part that plays a protective role for the eyeball, if it is affected for a long time, it will affect the basic functions of the eye. Eyes need to be constantly hydrated to avoid fatigue, dryness through blinking, but open eyelids mean no blinking, causing the eyes to become dry, cloudy or ulcerated. .
The most serious complication of cleft palate is corneal disease (keratitis, corneal infection, conjunctival infection), affecting vision and possibly leading to blindness. That's why it's important to pay special attention if your eyes are open.

5. Treatment of open eyelids

One of the causes of cleft palate is paralysis of the nerve that controls the opening and closing of the eyelids. This case can be cured by acupuncture, stimulating the acupoint of this nerve to make it work normally again.
For the remaining cases, the highly effective treatment for open eyelids is surgery. Depending on how severe or mild the cleft palate is, the doctor will advise the appropriate treatment method. After surgery, the doctor will guide the patient to the appropriate eye care regimen to make the recovery process faster.
If not treated with surgery, some temporary measures can be applied:
Wear glasses, bandages or eye shields to limit irritation (dust, bacteria...) impact on the eyes. Regularly apply gel, physiological saline (sodium chloride 9%) or artificial tears to create a protective layer on the surface of the eyeball, moisten the eye and prevent tear evaporation. Advice from a specialist: When a patient has open eyelids, the eyes are at high risk of dangerous diseases such as: corneal ulcers, dry eyes... so patients need to go to the hospital for examination and treatment soon. .
Eye specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital are the leading medical facilities in the country in the examination and treatment of eye-related diseases, with comprehensive quality in both expertise and medical services.
Eye specialist at Vinmec has comprehensive vision and eye health care functions for children, adults and the elderly including: refractive error check, laser treatment and surgery. In addition, the department also has the task of coordinating with other clinical departments in the treatment of pathological complications and eye injuries caused by accidents.
Besides, the team of Ophthalmologists here are experienced doctors who have implemented many types of surgery from routine to difficult surgery, especially techniques that require aesthetics. . With enthusiasm and love for the profession, the team of doctors working at Vinmec always gives customers the best services with the highest service quality.

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