Floppy eyelid syndrome linked to sleep apnea risk

This letter to the editor and author response discuss an article published in the November 2007 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggesting that patients with sleep apnea have an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The letter's author notes that other studies have shown a high prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with other ocular disorders, including primary open-angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma, floppy eyelid syndrome and central serous chorioretinopathy. While the link between both glaucoma and NAION with sleep apnea remains controversial, there is a significant relationship between floppy lid syndrome and sleep apnea. Less than 5 to10 percent of sleep apnea patients will have floppy lid syndrome, but the majority of floppy lid syndrome patients will have sleep apnea. These brief communications serve to emphasize that patients with floppy lid syndrome should be referred to a sleep center or clinic to rule out sleep apnea.

Financial Disclosures
Dr. Mannor has no financial interests to disclose.