What does lacrimal gland prolapse mean?

In general, the orbital lacrimal gland should be located in the lacrimal fossa, and the zonule formed by the surrounding connective fascia suspends it on the periosteum of the orbital wall. When the zonule is relaxed or broken, the lacrimal gland protrudes from the lacrimal fossa and enters the temporal eyelid subcutaneous layer, causing retinal prolapse. The normal cause of this situation is the relaxation of the zonule of the lacrimal gland caused by senile degenerative changes. If it occurs in young people, it is mainly seen in eyelid relaxation. In children, abnormal development of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle or aponeurosis can also cause prolapsed lacrimal gland. Symptoms usually present as a subcutaneous mass on the outer upper eyelid, soft and easy to push. When looking downward and inward, a mass under the bulbar conjunctiva can be seen at the outer canthus, which can be pushed back. For this case, surgical treatment is the only effective method. Surgical method is lacrimal gland reduction surgery.