Eye conditions can occur in patients both young and old, for a variety of reasons. Many of these lesser-known conditions can result from disease, genetics, tumors, or trauma. Lagophtalmos, ptosis, anopthalmia and other conditions can often result from an uncommon eye condition. Sometimes even common symptoms such as dry or light-sensitive eyes can be the result of an uncommon underlying cause.
Lagopthalmos is a diminished blink reflex and improper eyelid closure. These symptoms affect the eye’s ability to maintain a stable tear film and can cause dry eye and long-term vision damage if not corrected. Among other causes, lagopthalmos can be due to:
- Bell’s Palsy– Bell’s Palsy causes sudden paralysis of one side of the face. Commonly treated with steroids and often ultimately resolvable, Bell’s Palsy affects only an average of .02% of the population. Because Bell’s Palsy causes lagopthalmos on the affected side, sufferers often develop severe dry eye, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not corrected.
- Eye Trauma and Tumors – Eye trauma may cause damage to the facial nerve responsible for proper eyelid closure and the blink reflex. Skull fractures and surgical procedures can both cause damage to this nerve. Rare tumors such as acoustic neuromas can be credited for some lagopthalmos cases. Damage to the eyelids from burns, trauma, and eyelid surgery can also cause this condition, as well as aging.
- Infectious Diseases – Lyme disease, chickenpox, mumps, polio, Guillain-Barré syndrome, leprosy, diphtheria and botulism can all contribute to lagopthalmos in patients.
This condition can be successfully managed with the use of internal eyelid weights to aid the lid in proper closure. Internal eyelid weights effectively provide corneal protection and a decreased reliance on eye ointments or occlusion therapy.
Ptosis
Ptosis presents itself in a contrasting nature to lagopthalmos. Ptosis occurs as a drooping of the upper or lower eyelid. This condition can cause eye fatigue, double vision and trouble blinking.
Although often developed as a result of aging, a variety of less common causes can be credited to the development or presence of ptosis, including:
- Congenital Defects – Ptosis can present itself at birth and may be a lifelong issue for some, caused by abnormalities in a person’s inherent anatomy.
- Trauma and Disease– Trauma, tumors, and neurological diseases can affect the levator muscles responsible for lifting the eyelid.
- Eye Surgery – Rarely, eye surgery that involves the nerves and muscles of the eye may be the cause of ptosis.
To treat this condition, severe cases may be remedied by lifting the eyelid and affixing it to the brow using ptosis strips and slings.
Anopthalmia and Micropthalmia
Anopthalmia and Micropthalmia are very uncommon conditions, often congenital in nature or as a result of enucleation or evisceration after a severe traumatic event. Micropthalmia is the underdevelopment of an eye, whereas anopthalmia is the complete lack of the eye. Both of these conditions present an issue when the cause is congenital, as the developing features of the face and skull are dependent on a fully developed eye and orbit.
These conditions can be treated with orbital eye surgery and the use of implants such as an orbital tissue expander to maintain the symmetry of the face during development.
Additional Rare Eye Diseases
- Bietti’s Crystalline Dystrophy – Bietti’s is an inherited disease that causes crystals to develop in the cornea, as well as yellow deposits on the retina and progressive retinal atrophy. Symptoms include visual field constriction and night blindness. At this time there is no solution for this rare disease.
- Retinoblastoma – Retinoblastomas are a type of cancer that forms in the retina. Usually occurring in children younger than 5 years, it is sometimes hereditary in nature. This life-threatening condition can be treated with early diagnosis, surgery, and repair of the retina.
- Retinitis Pigmentosa – Retinitis pigmentosa causes progressive degeneration of the retina, resulting in night-blindness and a loss of peripheral vision. Though no sure treatment exists, the use of Vitamin A palmitate may slow the progression of this condition.
- Coloboma – This condition is due to a lack of development of one or more structures of the eye. The missing structure can be part of the eyelid, lens, macula, optic nerve, or uvea. Unfortunately no treatment exists for this condition, but using corrective lenses and treating resultant complications can reduce the negative effects of this condition.
Though rare, these diseases have been documented and assessed, and many already have valuable treatment options available through cutting-edge advancements and tailored surgical enhancements.
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Some of the best doctors in United States and beyond cannot identify my eye disease for over 2 years. Its been called a rare form of corneal dystrophy then it was called degeneration of koby, no specific diagnosis has been given. I also have glaucoma (pressure in the 40-50s) I am 23, healthy with no family history of any eye problems. ALT laser has been performed a few months ago but didnt help because of the thickness of the cornea. I do not wear glasses or contacts yet legally blind. They same its some sort of a mutation and cannot explain anything no matter how manny tests were done. My pressure is destroying the optical nerve and I am going blind.