The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome - Friday, March 14, 2008

Floppy Eyelid Syndrome (FES) is characterized by an excess of rubbery eyelid tissue of the upper eye. The upper lid hangs down over the eye, and, in severe cases, can turn inside out during sleep, causing your eye to rub against pillows, sheets or blankets. No one is exactly sure what causes FES, but some theories include injuries to the eyelid and low oxygen tension during sleep.

If you have FES, eyelid surgery can treat it, but you should also be aware that as many as 90 % of people with FES also have what is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition in which your breathing stops during sleep, forcing you to awaken to recatch your breath. This occurs for ten-second intervals at least five times an hour. If you have not been previously diagnosed with OSA, you should probably also seek diagnosis and treatment for that condition simultaneously with your eyelid surgery.

To learn more about FES and how it can be treated, contact the plastic surgery staff at the Centre, P.C. today to set up an initial consultation.