Unilateral eyelid lag and retraction as sequelae of trachoma.

A 42-year-old woman had a large right palpebral fissure 13 mm high with 0.5 mm of scleral show both superiorly and inferiorly due to upper and lower eyelid retraction. The upper eyelid showed eyelid lag behind the globe only during the initial ocular movement. Superior tarsal height measured 7.5 mm with palpebral conjunctival cicatrization and Arlt's line. Severe cases of trachoma may lead to contracture of the conjunctiva and deeper tissues including Müller muscle and the tarsal plate, which supports the insertion of the levator aponeurosis. Shortening of the posterior lamella and fornix contracture would explain eyelid retraction and failure of the upper eyelid to smoothly follow the globe on downgaze.