What does tarsorrhaphy involve?

Tarsorrhaphy is a surgical procedure that involves suturing the eyelids together, which is an important method used to protect the eyes, particularly in cases where there is eyelid dysfunction or incomplete eyelid closure. This technique can be beneficial for patients with conditions such as severe dry eye, corneal exposure, or to protect the eye during the healing process following surgery or injury.

By partially or completely closing the eyelids, tarsorrhaphy helps maintain moisture on the cornea, reduce exposure to environmental irritants, and lower the risk of further injury to the ocular surface.

The other options do not accurately describe the procedure. Removing the eyelids would not be a viable surgical option for protecting or treating the eye, as the eyelids serve multiple crucial functions in ocular health. A diagnostic procedure for eye disease would involve examinations or tests that do not include suturing eyelids. Lastly, the treatment for cataracts typically involves lens surgery, which is unrelated to the tarsorrhaphy technique.