Floppy eyelid syndrome strongly associated with keratoconus, sleep apnea

This study included 102 patients diagnosed with floppy eyelid syndrome and 102 controls recruited from a diabetic retinopathy clinic and matched 1:1 on age, gender, and body mass index. A full medical and ophthalmic history was taken.

They found significant associations between floppy eyelid syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (odds ratio = 12.5; P = 0.0008), and keratoconus (OR = 19.3; P < 0.0001). They also found an association between lash ptosis, dermatochalasis, upper lid medial canthal laxity, upper lid distraction, palpebral aperture, and levator function as well. In addition, while floppy eyelid syndrome was more common in obese males in their 60s, the condition affected patients with a significant range of ages, BMI, and sex.

The authors concluded that as well as providing a platform for an etiologic hypothesis for the condition, these findings should encourage clinicians to be aware of these associations and to direct further treatment.