By DR. RIA TERESITA PINLAC-MASLOG, MD, FPPS
Diseases of the Lids
Last issue, I wrote on the inflammatory conditions affecting the eyelids. These are the blepharitis, hordeolum or stye, chalazion and herpes zoster ophthalmicus.
There are also non-inflammatory conditions. These include Epicanthus, Epiblepharon, and Ptosis or blepharoptosis.
Epicanthus is a vertical fold of the skin running from the inner third of the eyebrow to the root of the nose and this condition is common among the Orientals. Sometimes the fold gives the appearance of being cross-eyed (esotropia). What is good with this condition is that as the face develops to maturity it may disappear.
Epiblepharon is a horizontal fold of skin near the upper or lower lid margin and is usually seen during the first to the fifth year of life. Tearing and occasional eye discharge occur because the eyelashes turn inside when one is looking down or up. This will just disappear spontaneously.
Ptosis or blepharoptosis is the abnormal drooping of the lid that may be congenital or after some brain injury. There is a resultant weakness of the levator palpebrae muscle because of an injury to its nerve supply. If congenital ptosis is bilateral, this should be corrected surgically before the child goes to school. If only one eye is affected, surgery is still indicated because there is a danger of amblyopia in the affected eye.