Commentary on: Lower Eyelid Retraction Surgery Without Internal Spacer Graft

Long-term Results of Palpebral Fissure Transfer With No Lower Eyelid Spacer in Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of the palpebral fissure transfer (PFT) technique without lower eyelid spacer in patients with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).

DESIGN

Retrospective interventional case series.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with CPEO with PFT surgery (2006-2017) and a minimum follow-up of 24 months were included. The PFT included simultaneous levator resection or frontalis sling (based on the levator function and Bell's phenomenon) and lower eyelid retractor recession without spacer. Primary outcome measures included the change in margin reflex distance 1 (MRD-1), MRD-2, and palpebral fissure height (PFH) in the course of time. Potential predictors of keratopathy were also explored.

RESULTS

There were 32 patients (64 eyelids) with the mean age and follow-up of 34.1 years (range 15-56 years) and 37.9 months (range 24-72 months), respectively. Mean MRD-1 significantly increased from -0.9 mm to 3.4 mm in postoperative weeks 1 and 2 and 1.8 mm at the last follow-up. Mean MRD-2 significantly decreased from 5.6 mm to 3.7 mm in postoperative weeks 1 and 2 and 5 mm at the last follow-up. Eyes with frank lower eyelid retraction (MRD-2 >5 mm) gained more reduction in MRD-2 compared with those with no sclera show (-0.9 mm vs -0.3 mm, P < .001). Reoperation was performed in 9 eyelids for under- (n = 5) and overcorrection (n = 4). Persistent keratopathy was observed in 3 eyes (4.5%).

CONCLUSION

Lower eyelid retractor recession without spacer yields significant protective corneal coverage at the critical early postoperative period when the risk of keratopathy is highest.

The Spectrum of Aesthetic Canthal Suspension

Aesthetic canthal suspension can be an effective adjunct to lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Understanding the anatomy and function of the lateral canthal tendon is critical for preoperative evaluation and surgical decision making. In this article, the authors discuss the lateral canthal terminology, anatomy, and aging changes. Various canthal suspension procedures, including open and closed canthal suspension, commissure sparing open canthoplasty, and canthopexy, are described. Finally, the preoperative evaluation, postoperative course, and complications of surgery are reviewed.

Repair of Lower Eyelid Cicatricial Entropion With Midface Lift, Spacer Graft, and Drill-Hole Canthoplasty

Postoperative cicatricial lower lid retraction is a challenging surgical problem that often disfigures the shape of the eye and has functional consequences. Depending on the severity, more than one surgical procedure may be needed to achieve the desired lower lid shape and position given the recurrent nature of scarring. Concepts of scar release, establishing lower lid vertical height, soft tissue replacement, and midcheek support are discussed in this video.