Abstract
Purpose :
The aim of this study was to assess changes in upper and lower eyelid position after retinal surgery.
Methods :
This was a prospective observational study. Patients who underwent unilateral retinal surgery were recruited from the retina clinic over one year. Retinal procedures included vitrectomy, combined phacoemulsification cataract extraction and vitrectomy, and combined scleral buckling with vitrectomy. The patients underwent preoperative photography, and postoperative photography at 3,6 and 12 months. A round 8 millimetre diameter sticker was placed on the patient’s forehead as a standardized marker, and measurements were made from the photographs using a standarised protocol. The upper margin reflex distance (MRD, MRD1) and lower MRD (MRD2) and palpebral aperture (PA) width were measured.
Results :
Twenty-eight patients were recruited for this study. There were 17 (61%) male and 11 (39%) females. The mean age was 66.8 years (range 50 - 84). The majority were Chinese (96%) and the mean follow up was 10.9 (±2.8) months. Twelve patients (43%) had surgery on the right eye. The mean preoperative MRD1 of the operated eye was 2.24 ± standard deviation 1.43 mm, mean preoperative MRD2 was 5.15 ±2.59mm. The mean postoperative MRD1 of the operated eye was 2.50 ±1.05 mm MRD2 was 6.26 ±0.84 mm. There was no significant change in MRD1 after retina surgery (p=0.29). There was a significant increase in MRD2 after retina surgery (p=0.03). The changes in MRD1 and MRD2 did not differ significantly amongst the three types of retinal procedures.
Conclusions :
There is no significant change in upper eyelid position after retina surgery but there is a significant lowering of lower eyelid position after retina surgery. This could be contributed by surgical stretching of the lower lid intraoperatively by the Lieberman eyelid retractor, or by the peribulbar block that is given via the lower lid and use of eyedrops for 4-6 weeks.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.