Paralytic Lagophthalmos: Comprehensive Approach to Management

Purpose of Review: Facial paralysis can lead to lagophthalmos, loss of corneal protection, and devastating ocular consequences like corneal ulcers or even blindness. The purpose of this review is to discuss the importance of comprehensive and early eye care. Recent Findings: Treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos should be individualized to each patient’s situation; depending on the severity of the problem and the prognosis for recovery, treatment modalities are broad and include lubrication, selective chemodenervation, filler injection, fat augmentation, and surgical procedures like canthopexy and tarsorrhaphy. Summary: This paper serves to highlight the importance of treating paralytic lagophthalmos and provides an overview of the optimal management algorithm of the compromised periocular complex to help improve function and quality of life. Prospective studies and long-term comparisons of surgical techniques for repair of paralytic lagophthalmos will help improve our understanding of this complex problem and perhaps introduce novel treatment strategies.