Severe Upper Lid Fornix Prolapse After a Ptosis Repair in Floppy Eyelid Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Patients with profound floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) may experience challenges achieving eyelid and tarsal stability in the setting of severe ptosis. A 43-year-old woman with sleep apnea presented to clinic with difficulties driving because of droopy eyelids. She also experienced chronic tearing, crusting, and discharge of the eyes. She was diagnosed with severe FES and significant ptosis. She underwent a wedge excision of the upper lid in the medial and lateral aspect of the upper lid. This was followed by a ptosis repair that resulted in complete upper lid fornix obliteration causing the conjunctiva to obstruct the patient's pupils. The patient's symptoms ultimately improved after a definitive fornix reconstruction. Her visual field symptoms were improved with 1-year follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature of a prolapsed fornix resulting in vision obstruction after floppy eyelid repair via a wedge excision followed by a ptosis repair via an external levator advancement. Given these unusual findings for the patient's age, further investigations into treatment management may be necessary to mitigate eyelid reconstruction complications in younger patients with FES.