Eyelid retraction and incomplete eyelid closure secondary to human immunodeficiency virus-associated muscle wasting

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated weight loss remains a significant problem, even in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. This interventional case report describes eyelid retraction and poor eyelid closure caused by orbicularis atrophy in the setting of HIV-associated muscle wasting. A 65-year-old HIV-infected man sought treatment for chronic ocular irritation. On examination, he was thin with marked temporal wasting. Corneal epithelial defects were present bilaterally. There was 2 mm of superior scleral show in the right eye and trace inferior scleral show bilaterally. With attempted closure, lagophthalmos approached 1 cm in the right eye and was 3 mm in the left eye. The remainder of the examination was unremarkable. Gold weight placement achieved symptomatic improvement with adequate eyelid closure. Biopsy demonstrated fibrous tissue with an absence of identifiable muscle fibers. In the setting of HIV-associated muscle wasting, orbicularis oculi muscle atrophy may result in eyelid retraction, lagophthalmos, and ocular surface disease.