What is an eyelid retraction?

Answer

Eyelid retraction is a condition where the lid retracts or moves away from the surface of the eye. Think of a winshield wiper on a car that is bent outward so it no longer touches the glass.

This condition can be irritating in that the lid no longer functions to clean and lubricate the surface of the eye and is caused by scarring from previous surgery, thyroid disease, or simply a loss of tone with aging.

Treatment of advanced cases consist of implanting a graft from the ear or mouth as a spacer to extend and reposition the lid against the eye.

A new device has recently been developed specifically for this indication. This device consist of a bioengineered reproduction of tarsal plate, the fibrous skeletal anatomoy of the lid itself.