Floppy eyelid syndrome is a
disease
A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions that a ...
whose most prominent features often include floppy upper
eyelids
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. The human eye ...
that can be easily everted, as well as papillary
conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur. The ...
.
It is often associated with patients with high
body mass index and obstructive
sleep apnea
Sleep apnea, also spelled sleep apnoea, is a sleep disorder in which pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep occur more often than normal. Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and they happen many tim ...
.
Floppy eyelid syndrome is thought to revolve around the upregulation of
elastin-degrading
enzymes, as well as mechanical factors. These can cause instability of the eyelid scaffold, resulting in the malposition of the eyelid.
References
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Eye diseases
Ophthalmology
Syndromes