Abstract
Purpose :
Eyelid weight sizing sets are used to choose the mass of implant that will best achieve relaxed eyelid closure with minimal eyelid ptosis for correction of paralytic lagophthalmos. However, sizing sets are expensive and may not be readily available outside of well-stocked ophthalmology clinics. We identified and compared the efficacy of 3 inexpensive, readily available materials as eyelid weight sizing set substitutes.
Methods :
Weights of 0.6 g, 0.8 g, 1.0 g, 1.2 g, 1.4 g, 1.6 g and 1.8 g were constructed from 1 of 3 materials: weighted athletic tape (SummerHouse, Panama City, Panama), standard staples (Bostitch, East Greenwich, RI), and Officemate #3 size paperclips (Officemate, Edison, NJ). These assembled weights, along with weights from a SutureGroove (IOP Ophthalmics, Costa Mesa, CA) eyelid weight sizing kit were measured on an electronic balance (A&D Company) to 4 digits. For each material, 3 unique samples for each increment of weight were weighed in order to assess for reproducibility. The dimensions of each weight were measured and weights were affixed to a subject’s eyelid to ensure proper fit.
Results :
Table 1 lists the actual weights of the 0.6 g, 0.8 g, 1.0 g, 1.2 g, 1.4 g, 1.6 g and 1.8 g sizers from a standard SutureGroove gold eyelid weight sizing kit and the corresponding weights of sizers constructed from the 3 substitute materials. Table 2 lists the lengths of each increment of every material. Adhesive materials (3M Steri-strips, 3M Tegaderm Film, Maplewood, MN; and Curad transparent adhesive tape, Northfield, IL) were successfully used to affix the materials to the eyelid of a subject, and external photographs were taken.
Conclusions :
Weights were constructed using readily available materials within a narrow standard deviation. Each material had advantages and disadvantages in terms of size and ease of handling. However, in the absence of a true sizer set, athletic tape, staples and paperclips are viable options for eyelid weight sizer replacements. In addition to serving as inexpensive, accessible, and disposable sizer sets, they could potentially be used for treatment of lagophthalmos in patients who are not surgical candidates or who are unable to undergo surgery promptly.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.