lid lag lid lag lid lag is the static situation in which the upper eyelid is higher than normal with the globe in downgaze. it is most often a sign of thyroid eye disease, but may also occur with cicatricial changes to the eyelid or congenital ptosis. lid lag differs from von graefe's sign in that the latter is a dynamic process. it can also be the manifestation of chemosis (swelling (or edema) of the conjunctiva).