A trial conducted in Britain indicates that a disorder known as FES or floppy eyelid syndrome has strong links with OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) meaning that physicians looking for FES in a person must additionally check for presence of obstructive sleep apnea and conversely.
The study illustrates factors common in FES and OSA and definite discovery on the manner in which FES development occurs which would improve diagnosis and treatment.
Individuals having obstructive sleep apnea encounter numerous health problems, the nastiest being risk of fatality due to respiration slowing down or stopping while asleep. OSA could be contributory to or be exacerbated by hypertension, diabetes, being overweight or obese and other general issues.
Study helmed by Dr. Daniel Ezra, Moorfields Eye Hospital, England unearth apparent links between OSA and FES during a case controlled trial involving 102 entrants who were followed up from 1995 onwards till thirteen years after; and tracking of analogous corresponding controls were additionally done.
Nearly a third of the FES entrants in the trial additionally had obstructive sleep apnea. A major link of the duo conditions was apparent even after considering and controlling body mass index (BMI) of patients was done by the researchers. FES is mostly deemed a disorder of males in ages of 45-65 years and overweight, however the research failed in finding a patient group based on age, sex or body mass index.
Individuals having FES have cartilaginous, rubber-like upper eyelid which could get flipped up easily while asleep due to which white portion of the eyes get exposed leading to dryness and irritation in the eyes and even eye discharge occurring.
The latest study substantiates earlier research which indicates that a OAS sufferer has impairment in CNS (central nervous system) stimulation due to which such a patient is incapable of waking up when respiration halts or slacks or when upper eyelids is exposed to intense stress. OSA sufferers most prefer sleeping on their sides that can lead to severe, repetitive pressure on the eyelid on the side they sleep on. A coalescing of such factors could be contributory to or causal to FES. The study finding also indicates that OSA was cured in a patient given treatment employing continual positive airways pressure masks.
Furthermore, the study corroborated previous outcomes that FES is linked to keratoconus (corneal thinning and becoming conoid in shape). FES patients indulge in frequently rubbing their eyes possibly contributory to the condition. Study investigators have pointed out that an ophthalmologist must identify that ocular problem among FES patients could be because of keratoconus – instead of dry eyes condition or due to irritated surfaces and treating such patients consequently.
