Graves Lower Eyelid Retraction

Burn-Induced Cicatricial Eyelid Retraction: A Challenging Case and Review of Management Principles

Thermal and chemical burns can result in cicatricial eyelid retraction, characterized by an abnormal resting position of the eyelid margin and increased palpebral fissure height. Eyelid retraction often leads to exposure keratopathy, which can cause complications ranging from mild dry eye to globe-threatening ulceration and perforation. Prompt intervention includes aggressive lubrication, moisture chambers, eyelid tarsorrhaphy, and retraction repair surgery. Discussed here is a burn patient that developed severe cicatricial eyelid retraction and ectropion, leading to severe exposure keratopathy and infectious corneal ulceration with perforation. The patient required aggressive medical intervention, as well as 2 surgeries to restore the normal eyelid anatomy to protect the globe.

Restoration of the Lateral Canthus and Stabilization of the Lower Eyelid After Failed Esthetic Lateral Canthoplasty

BACKGROUND

An improper procedure of esthetic lateral canthoplasty can lead to lateral canthal deformity with other complications. To ensure proper canthal contour and eyelid function, the lateral canthus must be restored and the lower eyelid must be stabilized.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study that included a group of consecutive patients who had failed esthetical lateral canthoplasty between 2020 and 2022. All patients underwent the modified lateral tarsal strip procedure to restore the normal anatomy of the lateral canthus and stabilize the lower eyelid. Clinical data (age, sex, laterality, follow-up, ocular symptoms, previous medical history, and lateral canthal deformity) were collected. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were analyzed for cosmetic outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the 15 female patients, 25 eyelids were treated, including both eyes in 10 patients and only the left eye in 5 others. The mean age was 32.6 years. The mean follow-up was 13.34 months. All the patients had undergone esthetic lateral canthoplasty with other esthetic surgeries. Lateral canthus deformities include canthal webbing, rounding canthus, eyelid margin defect, remnant raw surface, mucosal exposure, lower eyelid retraction, sclera show, ectropion, symblepharon, and lagophthalmos. All the patients exhibited esthetically satisfactory results with improved ocular symptoms. In statistical analysis, horizontal palpebral aperture, vertical palpebral aperture, MRD2, and lateral canthus angle were statistically different pre to postprocedure (paired t test, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Restoration of the lateral canthus and stabilization of the lower eyelid using the modified lateral tarsal strip procedure showed good functional and cosmetic outcomes in patients who had failed lateral canthoplasty.

Update on the surgical management of Graves' orbitopathy

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a complex autoimmune disorder of the orbit that causes the eye to appear disfigured. GO is typically associated with Graves' disease, an inflammatory autoimmune condition that is caused by thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies. Although our knowledge of the pathophysiology of GO has improved, its exact pathogenesis remains unclear. Some patients suffer from disfigurement, double vision, and even vision loss rather than hyperthyroidism. The disease severity and activity prompt different treatments, as the signs of GO are heterogeneous, so their management can be very complex. Despite medical advances, the first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe active GO is still glucocorticoids, while surgery can be critical for the treatment of chronic inactive GO. Surgery is sometimes required in the acute phase of the disease when there is an immediate risk to vision, such as in dysthyroid optic neuropathy. Most surgeries for GO are rehabilitative and subdivided into three categories: decompression, strabismus repair, and lid surgery. This review is a basic overview of the field, with up-to-date knowledge of the surgical techniques for GO. We review and summarize recent literature on the advances in surgery for GO to provide up-to-date insights on the optimal surgical treatment for GO.

Management of eyelid retraction related to thyroid eye disease

Eyelid retraction related to thyroid eye disease (TED) is a challenging condition. It is one of the main clinical signs and a major diagnostic criterion in TED. This condition may threaten vision due to exposure keratopathy, in addition to its esthetic alterations, which may lead to psychosocial implications and affect the patient's quality of life. Although it is more commonly observed in the upper eyelid, it may be present on both the upper and lower lids. Numerous surgical and nonsurgical treatment modalities have been described and will be reviewed in this article. Management should be based on an individual patient assessment, taking into consideration the disease stage, severity, and clinician experience.

Selection of Site for Harvesting Dermal Grafts as a Spacer in the Correction of Eyelid Retraction

BACKGROUND

Several materials can serve as spacer grafts in the repair of retracted lower eyelids. However, previous studies did not reveal any of these to be superior to the others. From our perspective, autologous dermal grafts are ideal because they are biologically compatible and abundantly available. However, the absorption of these grafts is an issue, and the thickness of the dermal grafts is crucial. We evaluated the dermal thickness at five potential donor sites using ultrasonography and the efficacy and safety of the posterior neck dermis as a spacer graft in the correction of retracted lower eyelids.

METHODS

In 20 healthy volunteers, the dermal thickness was assessed using ultrasonography and compared between the posterior neck, upper arm, inguinal area, intergluteal cleft, and gluteal sulcus. Between January 2018 and June 2021, eight retracted lower eyelids in eight patients were repaired using a posterior neck dermal graft. The surgical results of these grafts were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age of the volunteers was 37.8 years, and the mean body mass index was 24.45 kg/m². The intergluteal cleft provided the thickest dermis followed by the posterior neck and gluteal sulcus, which were not significantly different. The upper arm and inguinal area had the thinnest dermis without significant differences between them. The mean marginal reflex distance 2/iris ratio decreased by 0.15 (p=0.008). The mean cosmetic score (0-10) for evaluation of lower eyelid reconstruction increased by 3.38 (p=0.011). The mean Vancouver Scar Scale score for evaluation of donor site scarring was 3.21.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the posterior neck dermis is the second thickest, it is an ideal spacer graft in the reconstruction of retracted lower eyelids. Adequate thickness, uncomplicated methods, and a closer surgical field are its advantages. Additionally, donor site morbidity is minimal, with acceptable scarring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Eyes wide shut: necessity and effect of adjunctive procedures after decompression surgery in patients with endocrine orbitopathy

BACKGROUND

Orbital decompression surgery is frequently the last therapeutic measure in the surgical treatment of endocrine orbitopathy (EO). Additional rehabilitative and corrective surgical treatments are often used to improve the resulting eyelid stigmata, such as an increased lid aperture and scleral show. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of adjunctive surgical procedures after orbital decompression surgery in patients with EO.

METHODS

A total of 120 orbitae from 65 patients with EO from 2010 to 2020 at a tertiary care center in Germany were retrospectively evaluated. Ocular surface area (OSA) and vertical palpebral fissures were three-dimensionally analyzed at the following stages: presurgical decompression, postsurgical decompression, and post-adjunctive surgical procedures. For the analysis of vertical palpebral fissures, predefined vertical line distances were measured on the upper and lower lids in the central, medial, and lateral pupillary regions.

RESULTS

The initial OSA was 2,98 ± 0.85 cm², and it decreased significantly after decompression surgery to 2.52 ± 0.62 cm². After adjunct surgical procedures, OSA further decreased to 2,31 ± 0,55 cm². Furthermore, a statistically significant reduction in all pupillary parameters was noted after each treatment step. More lid-lengthening procedures were performed on the lower lid than on the upper lid. Canthoplasty (n = 13) was the most frequently performed procedure during rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION

Surgical decompression surgery improves OSA and leads to a significant reduction in lid aperture. Adjunctive surgical procedures, addressing the upper and lower lid, have a significant influence on the ongoing clinical course and contribute to a reduction in OSA.

Correction of lower eyelid retraction combined with entropion in thyroid eye disease patients of East Asian ancestry

PURPOSE

This study evaluates causes and treatment of lower eyelid retraction with co-existing entropion in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) patients of East Asian ancestry.

METHODS

The medical records for 25 eyelids from 15 TED patients with lower eyelid retraction and entropion who had undergone combined orbital decompression and lower eyelid retraction correction surgery at the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2017 to December 2018 were prospectively reviewed. We build a numerical model of biomechanics to analyze von Mises stress and displacement at the lower eyelid.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was 6 ± 2 months. The difference of mean exophthalmos was 5.16 ± 1.21 mm (t = 21.26, p = 4.479E-17 < 0.05). The difference of mean MRD2 was 1.9 ± 0.14 mm (t = 67.57, p = 6.751E-29 < 0.05). About 2 of 25 eyelids entropion recurred postoperatively; the overall success rate was 92%. The biomechanical analysis results reveal that the eyelid margin is given more stress and caused more displacement in East Asian ancestry under the same force of pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the lower eyelid retraction with coexistent entropion is attributable to the unique anatomical features of patients of East Asians ancestry. We corrected the lower eyelid retraction and entropion during the orbital decompression operation. The results show that this method is safe and effective. It can simultaneously improve the symptoms of TED patients such as exophthalmos, lower eyelid retraction, and entropion, with minimal complications.

Staged Treatment of Asymmetrical Age-related Changes in the Eyelid and Thyroid Eye Disease

Blepharoplasty for thyroid eye disease (TED) has been indicated for the purpose of improving upper and lower eyelid retraction caused by exophthalmos. Both aponeurotic blepharoptosis and aging lower eyelid are common conditions that require plastic surgeries and could be complicated with other disease conditions, such as TED. This is the first report of planned and staged treatment of the contradictory pathophysiologies of aging changes of upper and lower eyelids associated with TED. A 59-year-old woman suffered complicated bilateral asymmetric aponeurosis blepharoptosis of the lower and upper eyelids, caused by both advanced aging and TED. To achieve aesthetic improvement, three-stage surgical treatments were planned, as follows: (1) Orbital decompression for exophthalmos; (2) Extraocular muscle surgery, if necessary; (3) Blepharoplasty for functional and aesthetic abnormalities due to loosening of the upper and lower eyelids. After medial and lateral orbital floors were opened bilaterally, the patient did not need extraocular surgery. As the final step, levator aponeurosis advancement procedure was performed in the upper eyelids for bilateral asymmetrical aponeurotic blepharoptosis, and transitional lower blepharoplasty using a skin-muscle flap technique via a sub-ciliary incision was performed in the lower eyelids for age-related loosening. The typical face displayed by Graves’ disease disappeared, and the symptoms associated with loosening of the upper and lower eyelids improved substantially. Improvement of exophthalmos by orbital decompression revealed the severity of the blepharoptosis and the aging change of lower eyelid. Step-by-step planning from decompression surgery to upper and lower blepharoplasty could lead to sufficient improvement in the facial appearance in TED.

Lower eyelid entropion in thyroid eye disease

Purpose: To report the clinical features, ultrasound biomicroscopic features, and management outcome in patients presenting with thyroid eye disease (TED) and lower eyelid entropion. Methods: Retrospective interventional case review of patients with TED presenting with lower eyelid entropion over a 12-year period.Results: Five patients (eight eyes) of a total of 1211 presented with lower eyelid entropion as one of the presenting signs of TED (0.41%). The average age was 28.8 years (18-39 years), and three patients were males. Three had systemic hyperthyroidism, and two were euthyroid. Four (80%) had bilateral TED, three had inactive disease, and two were active. The average Hertel exophthalmometry reading was 24.6 mm. All patients had upper lid retraction. Four (80%) had concomitant lower eyelid retraction. Entropion was medial in five and complete in three eyes. Symptomatic corneal epitheliopathy was noted in four eyes. UBM was performed in four eyes which showed a thickened middle lamella. In four eyes (three patients), the entropion was managed conservatively as the patient was not contemplating surgery for proptosis. In the remaining four eyes (two patients) orbital decompression was performed and the lower eyelid retractor release corrected the symptomatic entropion. The average follow-up was 11.6 months (range 1-30).Conclusion: Lower eyelid entropion is a rare presenting sign in TED. The mechanism is multifactorial and could be caused by the thickened and fibrosed lower lid retractors, as demonstrated by UBM. Young age and globe projection may play a role. Decompression approaches that involve lower lid retractor release correct the entropion.

Eyelid Surgery in Graves' Orbitopathy

Patients with Graves' orbitopathy often develop eyelid changes. These may be the result of a volume effect or a malposition. Both dermatochalasis with fat tissue increase and eyelid retraction may lead to functional or aesthetic impairment. The present article reviews indications, timing and principles for corrective eyelid surgery. If at all possible, surgical eyelid correction in Graves' orbitopathy should be performed once the disease became inactive and stabile. Surgical details of eyelid lengthening procedures for upper and lower eyelid retraction are presented. Meanwhile anterior blepharotomy became the primary procedure for upper eyelid lengthening. However, there is no such standard procedure for lower eyelid lengthening, although it is recommended to use a spacer. For blepharoplasty it is mandatory to distinguish between orbital fat prolapse and subbrow fat pad. A prolapse of the lacrimal gland should not be missed and generally, skin excision performed sparingly.

Changes in Lower Lid Position after Standard Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery

Purpose:

To evaluate the changes on the position of the lower lid after phacoemulsification surgery using objective methods.

Methods:

This prospective study evaluated the lower lid position of cataract carriers who underwent to phacoemulsification surgery from January to May 2017. Data were collected on demographics, type of anesthesia, duration of the surgical procedure, and duration of the speculum remained in place. Standardized digital photographs of the patient's face in primary gaze position were obtained preoperatively and 1, 30, 90, and 180 days, postoperatively. The data were analyzed on the distraction test, distance of the lower lacrimal punctum from the inner canthus, and margin reflex distance 2 (MRD2). Comparative and correlation statistical analyses involving preoperative and postoperative measurements were performed.

Results:

One hundred twelve cataract patients comprised the study sample. There were 68 (60.7%) females with a median age of 74 (interquartile range, 70–81) years old. The mean distraction test value before surgery was 7 ± 2 mm and 6.8 ± 1.8 mm 180 days postoperatively (P = 0.02). The mean lacrimal lower punctum distance changed from 5 ± 1.1 mm preoperatively to 5.4 ± 1 mm at 180 days postoperatively (P = 0.06). The mean MRD2 preoperatively was 5 ± 1 mm and increased to 5.4 ± 0.9 mm 180 days after surgery (P = 0.02). The duration of surgery and the duration that speculum remained in place were not correlated to MRD2 (P = 0.7; P = 0.98).

Conclusions:

There is a mild lower lid laxity after phacoemulsification reflected by slight increased lacrimal lower punctum distance to the inner canthus and MRD2. Lacrimal lower punctum distance and MRD2 vary along the study and remained altered at 180 days after surgery, while distraction test tends to recover to similar preoperative levels. Although lid laxity is common in elderly cataract carriers, even a short procedure as phacoemulsification can mildly increase flaccidity.

Influence of surgical approach for decompression on lower eyelid position in thyroid eye disease

Purpose: Orbital decompression for thyroid eye disease (TED) has been noted to improve lower lid retraction by 0.5-1 mm. We hypothesize that orbital decompression via transconjunctival approach may lead to increased reduction in marginal reflex distance 2 (MRD2) as it involves division of the lower lid retractors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate relative changes in lower lid position for patients undergoing lateral and transconjunctival orbital decompression, respectively.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all TED patients managed with lateral or transconjunctival orbital decompression for a 3-year period were screened for inclusion. Photographs taken in the primary position preoperatively and three months postoperatively were utilized to evaluate the MRD2 from each patient. Measurements were made utilizing NIH ImageJ software standardized to a corneal diameter. Hertel measurements of proptosis were obtained pre and postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was MRD2 in operative eyes.Results: A total of 131 (86 patients) operative eyes were included in the sample. Mean change MRD2 was not significantly different between the surgical groups (p = 0.07). In multivariate modeling, mean change in MRD2 was significantly associated with change in exophthalmometry, independent of surgical approach.Conclusions: The association between decrease in Hertel measurement and decrease in MRD2 is consistent with the existing literature on the topic. It appears that transconjunctival division of the lower eyelid retractors provides no additional benefit in reducing lower lid retraction relative to change in proptosis.

Thyroid Eye Disease: How A Novel Therapy May Change The Treatment Paradigm

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a complex, debilitating autoimmune disease that causes orbital inflammation and tissue remodeling, resulting in proptosis, diplopia, and in severe cases, loss of vision. TED can lead to facial disfigurement and severely impact patients’ quality of life. Although the course of TED was identified over 60 years ago, effective treatment options have proved to be challenging. Current treatments such as glucocorticoid therapy and orbital radiation focus on reducing orbital inflammation. However, these therapies fail to modify the disease outcomes, including proptosis and diplopia. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of TED have facilitated the development of targeted molecular therapies such as teprotumumab, an insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibiting monoclonal antibody. In recent phase 2 and phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trials, teprotumumab rapidly achieved improvement in clinical endpoints defining TED, including improved proptosis and diplopia. Dramatic improvement in clinical outcomes achieved after teprotumumab therapy during active TED are heretofore singular and comparable only to surgical therapies achieved during the inactive phase of TED. The advent of effective medical therapy can lead to a paradigm shift in the clinical management of TED. This review will provide an overview of TED, its epidemiology, insight into the molecular biology of the disease, clinical characteristics and diagnosis, and current and emerging treatment modalities.

Inflammatory Reaction to Decellularized Porcine-Derived Xenograft for Lower Eyelid Retraction

A 54-year-old woman underwent uncomplicated bilateral lower eyelid surgery for eyelid retraction using porcine decellularized membrane graft (TarSys). Left lower eyelid pain began several months after surgery and persisted until the graft was removed 15 months after implantation. The opposite eyelid graft caused no symptoms. Histologically, the lesion consisted of acellular collagen surrounded by florid granulomatous inflammation. Although the inflammatory reaction suggested a cell-mediated immune response, this pathway of injury is difficult to reconcile given the asymptomatic opposite eyelid. The literature reflects limited experience with porcine decellularized membranes of the eyelid. Complications and long-term tolerance remain to be determined.

Lower Eyelid Retraction Repair with Resorbable Polydioxanone Implants

PURPOSE:

To report a unique technique to repair lower eyelid retraction using resorbable polydioxanone implants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This was a retrospective, consecutive, nonrandomized interventional case series. Patients with lower eyelid retraction after trauma repaired facial fracture, thyroid eye disease, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, and long-standing facial palsy were treated with middle lamellar spacer using absorbable polydioxanone implant. All patients were recruited from the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Only patients with minimum follow-up of 12 months were included in the study.

RESULTS:

Eight patients (4 males and 4 females) underwent lower eyelid retraction repair using absorbable polydioxanone implant. The mean age was 43 years (range, 23–63 years). All patients noted improved ocular surface symptoms. The improvement in eyelid retraction ranged from 1.5 to 4 mm with an average of 2.7 mm postoperatively. The implant was well tolerated with no major complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Several options for spacer materials are available. Absorbable polydioxanone implants seem to be an effective middle lamellar spacer that is a good alternative for repairing middle lamella related lower eyelid retraction and lower eyelid support.

Update on thyroid-associated Ophthalmopathy with a special emphasis on the ocular surface

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is a condition associated with a wide spectrum of ocular changes, usually in the context of the autoimmune syndrome, Graves’ disease. In this topical review, we attempted to provide a roadmap of the recent advances in current understanding the pathogenesis of TAO, important aspects of its clinical presentation, its impact on the ocular surface, describe the tissue abnormalities frequently encountered, and describe how TAO is managed today. We also briefly review how increased understanding of the disease should culminate in improved therapies for patients with this vexing condition.