Ptosis

Incidence of Blepharoptosis Following Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of blepharoptosis after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections and compare the rates of blepharoptosis between patients injected with an eyelid speculum and those injected without a speculum.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), codes were used to identify patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and those who developed ptosis after intravitreal injections. Patients with nonexudative AMD who did not receive intravitreal injections served as controls. The outcomes were the incidence of ptosis in the injection group compared to the noninjection group and incidence of ptosis in patients whose injections were performed with an eyelid speculum as compared to those whose injections were performed without a speculum.

RESULTS

We recruited 1100 exudative AMD patients who received at least 1 intravitreal anti-VEGF injection and 2258 nonexudative AMD patients who had not received an injection. In the injection group, 18 of 1100 patients (1.6%) developed ptosis, compared with 52 of 2258 patients (2.3%) in the noninjection group (P = .25). Within the injection group, ptosis was mostly bilateral, diagnosed on average 22.4 months after the initial injection, and after more than a 1-year injection-free period. Eleven of 537 patients (2.0%) injected without a speculum developed ptosis, compared with 8 of 444 patients (1.8%) injected with a speculum (P = .82).

CONCLUSIONS

No statistically significant differences in incidence rates of ptosis were observed. In this analysis, neither intravitreal anti-VEGF injections nor speculum use during injections appears to increase the risk of ptosis.

Progressively worsening ptosis in a woman: A case report

Key Clinical Message

Filler injections into the upper eyelid may cause levator aponeurosis fibrosis and ptosis. This risk must be considered. When ptosis appears, treatment might be difficult. Understanding the upper eyelid anatomy and procedures is essential to prevent eyelid damage.

Abstract

Ptosis is a prevalent condition in cosmetic surgery that occurs due to malfunction of the levator palpebrae superioris or insufficient Müller muscle action. It is characterized by the upper eyelid edge appearing lower than usual when seen at eye level. Ptosis may be categorized into congenital and acquired forms. The primary cause of congenital ptosis is attributed to abnormalities of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle or the motor nerve innervation that controls it. The condition arises from atypical development and malfunction of the oculomotor system. Acquired ptosis may be classified into many categories including traumatic, neurogenic, myogenic, senile, mechanical, and fake ptosis. Currently, there is little documentation of ptosis resulting from the degeneration of the aponeurosis of the muscle in the upper eyelid. We received a case of ptosis caused by fibrosis of the levator palpebrae superioris aponeurotic membrane. We used the technique of levator palpebrae superioris great advancement. The levator palpebrae superioris-Müller muscle was folded to create a stable composite construction via the levator palpebrae superioris high progress.

Supraciliary Incision as a Modified Approach for Asian Blepharoptosis Patients

BACKGROUND

Blepharoptosis may result in an unattractive appearance and vision problems. According to the severity of ptosis, patients may undergo correction surgery using upper eyelid retractors. The conventional incision for surgical procedures was the double-eyelid incision, potentially resulting in an obvious and unnatural scar or long-lasting edema and prolonged recovery time.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to introduce a supraciliary incision as an alternative to the double-eyelid incision for blepharoptosis correction that creates a scarless, natural appearance with a quick recovery time.

METHODS

From June 2019 to June 2021, 32 patients (36 eyelids) underwent blepharoptosis correction through a supraciliary incision. MRD1, the height of the eyelid fissure, and the patient's satisfaction with the shape and scar as well as postoperative complications (eyelid insufficiency, conjunctival prolapse, inadequate correction of ptosis, and excessive correction of ptosis).

RESULTS

All 32 patients (36 eyelids) were followed up for 6 to 18 months, with an average follow-up of 11.6 months. The postoperative satisfaction rate was 96.43%. There was no overcorrection, but one patient (1 eyelid, 2.8%) was under correction that required secondary correction. One patient (1 eyelid, 2.8%) experienced conjunctival prolapse. Sixteen patients showed lagophthalmos early after surgery, in which one patient experienced early-stage keratitis and completely recovered within two months.

CONCLUSION

Blepharoptosis correction via supraciliary incision allows for broader indications and fewer surgical scars without disrupting eyelid integrity, resulting in quick recovery after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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The role of Whitnall's ligament position in the success of levator resection surgery in congenital ptosis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the role of Whitnall's ligament position in the success of levator resection surgery in congenital ptosis.

METHODS

It was an interventional case series on patients with congenital ptosis who underwent levator muscle resection in Farabi Eye Hospital (2020-2022). Patients with incomplete follow-up, a history of trauma, poor Bell's phenomenon, previous ocular and lid surgeries, poor levator function (≤ 4mm), and syndromic ptosis or systemic diseases were excluded. During the surgery, several factors, including the distance between Whitnall's ligament and the upper edge of the tarsus (W-distance), the vertical length of the tarsus (T-length), and the amount of levator muscle resection (LMR), were measured. A successful outcome was defined as the inter-eye difference of margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1) ≤ 1 and post-op MRD1 ≥ 3 OR the inter-eye difference of MRD1 ≤ 0.5 with any value of post-op MRD1 in unilateral cases and Postop-MRD1 > 3 in bilateral cases during the 3-months period.

RESULTS

Thirty four eyes of 34 patients were included, and 79.4% of patients achieved successful outcomes. In univariate analysis, Preop-MRD1 and Preop-LF had meaningful negative correlations with the amount of LMR to reach the successful outcome (p < 0.05), which was only meaningful for Preop-LF in multivariable analysis (p < 0.05). Noticeably, W-distance had a significant positive correlation in univariate and multivariable linear regression (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

W-distance can be considered a significant new parameter other than Preop-LF influencing the amount of levator resection needed to achieve success in levator resection surgery.

An Adjustable Magnetic Levator Prosthesis for Customizable Eyelid Re-Animation in Severe Blepharoptosis: Design and Proof-of-Concept

Purpose

Blepharoptosis is a common oculoplastic condition causing incomplete opening of the upper eyelid. Surgical approaches, the mainstay for correction, often fail to improve blink function. The purpose of this study was to develop a nonsurgical treatment option for severe ptosis that allows blink re-animation.

Methods

Magnetic force required to perform blink re-animation was characterized by evaluation of eye-opening and closing using inter-palpebral fissure (IPF) outcomes with various combinations of eyelid array and box magnets. Optimal size of the spectacle magnet that achieved forces required for optimal blink dynamics was selected using simulation. The adjustable magnetic levator prosthesis (aMLP) included an eyelid array magnet and an adjustable rotating spectacle magnet that allowed change in the magnetic direction, thus changing the net magnetic interactive force between the magnets. The clinical feasibility of aMLP in improving eye opening without limiting eye closing was evaluated in patients with ptosis through a proof-of-concept study using IPF and comfort outcomes.

Results

Optimal eye opening and closing was achieved by a magnet-array combination providing 45 grams of surface force (gF) in the tested ptosis population. The aMLP was able to modulate eye opening and closing with change in rotation of the spectacle magnet in two patients with ptotis. The best fitting of an aMLP improved IPF opening without limiting eye closing and with good comfort reported.

Conclusions

Preliminary results suggest that the an aMLP can correct ptosis without adversely affecting blink function. Further evaluation in a larger patient population is warranted.

Translational Relevance

A nonsurgical, proof of concept, adjustable magnetic treatment option for blink re-animation in patients with severe ptosis is presented.

One Patient of Blepharoptosis Caused by Levator Palpebrae Superioris Aponeurosis Degeneration

Ptosis is one of the common diseases of plastic surgery, which is caused by various causes of levator palpebrae superioris dysfunction or Müller muscle insufficiency, which is manifested by the upper eyelid margin being lower than normal when level viewed. Ptosis can be divided into congenital and acquired, and the main cause of congenital ptosis is due to congenital levator palpebrae superioris dysplasia or the motor nerve innervation that innervates it is caused by abnormal oculomotor neurodevelopment and dysfunction. Acquired ptosis can be divided into traumatic, neurogenic, myogenic, senile, mechanical, and false ptosis. At present, there are few reports of ptosis due to the degeneration of the aponeurosis of the upper eyelid muscle. We received a case of ptosis caused by degeneration of the levator palpebrae superioris aponeurotic membrane, we use the method of the levator palpebrae superioris high advancement. The levator palpebrae superioris-Miller muscle was folded to form a stable composite structure by the levator palpebrae superioris high advancement. During the operation, the levator palpebrae superioris was separated along the gap, and the surrounding tissues were less damaged. Therefore, postoperative adhesion was less, and the main complications of severe blepharoptosis after the operation, such as upper eyelid hysteresis and incomplete closure, almost did not occur, and after surgery, the results were good.

Research on the expression of elastin in the conjoint fascial sheath for the correction of severe unilateral congenital blepharoptosis

Background

To investigate the expression of elastin in the conjoint facial sheath (CFS) in patients with severe unilateral congenital blepharoptosis in different age groups.

Methods

Twenty-seven cases of severe unilateral congenital blepharoptosis (27 eyes) were treated with CFS + LM complex suspension from January 2020 to July 2020. Within that sample, 9 patients were over 18 years old, 9 patients were 13 to 17 years old and 9 patients were 5 to 12 years old. CFS and LM specimens were collected during CFS + LM complex suspension surgery. In the CFS specimens, the elastic fibers were observed by Victoria Blue staining. The elastin expression levels of the three groups of specimens were determined and analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting.

Results

Victoria Blue staining showed that elastic fibers were abundant in CFS tissue. Moreover, immunofluorescent staining showed strong positive expression of elastin in the CFS and LM. Furthermore, in the child group, the Western blot results demonstrated that the expression of elastin was higher in the CFS than in the LM (P < 0.05). Additionally, the expression of elastin was significantly higher in the CFS of children than in that of adults or adolescents (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The CFS and LM are rich in elastic fibers and elastin, although elastin expression in the CFS decreases with age. Thus, it is feasible to apply CFS + LM complex suspension to cure severe unilateral congenital blepharoptosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02469-w.

Application of e-PTFE Frontalis Suspension in the Treatment of Congenital Ptosis in Children

Purpose

Analysis of the value of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) frontalis suspension applied to children with congenital ptosis.

Methods

Eighty clinical cases of children with congenital ptosis from October 2019 to October 2021 were randomly selected from our hospital. All children were divided into the observation group (n = 44) treated with e-PTFE frontalis suspension and the control group (n = 36) treated with frontalis flap suspension according to the treatment procedure. Comparison of eyelid condition [palpebral fissure height, margin reflex distance (MRD), eyelid closure time], ocular surface status [corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, tear film breakup time (TBUT), surgical eye lacrimal river height (LRH), sehirmer test I (STI)], frontal muscle strength of affected side, cosmetic results and complications in both groups at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperative follow-up.

Results

At 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery, there was no significant difference in terms of palpebral fissure height and MRD between both groups (p &gt; 0.05); After surgery, the eyelid closure time was shorter in the observation group than in the control group (p &lt; 0.05). At 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery, the CFS scores were lower in the observation group than in the control group (p &lt; 0.05); At 6 and 12 months after surgery, the TBUT was longer and the surgical eye LRH was higher in the observation group than in the control group (p &lt; 0.05); At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, there was no significant difference in STI between both groups (p &lt; 0.05). At 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery, the frontal muscle strength of affected side was higher in the observation group than in the control group (p &lt; 0.05). At 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, there was no significant difference in cosmetic results between both groups (p &gt; 0.05). The overall complication rate in the observation group (6.82%) was lower than that in the control group (25.00%) (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion

The surgical and cosmetic results of e-PTFE frontalis suspension and frontalis flap suspension applied to congenital ptosis are comparable, but the former has the advantage of faster postoperative recovery, better ocular surface status, less frontali muscle strength damage and fewer complications.

Increased Risk of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among Children with Ptosis: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Background: This study aimed to investigate the risk of refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia) and amblyopia in children with ptosis and association between age at diagnosis of ptosis and subsequent risks of vision problems. Methods: Retrospective claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) were analyzed. We identified 1799 children aged 0−18 years who were newly diagnosed with ptosis between 2000 and 2012 and 7187 individuals without the disease. Both cohorts were followed up until 2013 to estimate the incidence of refractive errors and amblyopia. Results: Children with ptosis had 5.93-fold, 3.46-fold, 7.60-fold, and 13.45-fold increases in the risk of developing astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, and amblyopia, respectively, compared with the control cohort (astigmatism: adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 5.93, 95% confidence interval, CI = 5.16−6.82; myopia: aHR = 3.46, 95% CI = 3.13−3.83; hyperopia: aHR = 7.60, 95% CI = 5.99−9.63; amblyopia: aHR = 13.45, 95% CI = 10.60−17.05). Children diagnosed with ptosis at an age older than 3 years old had a higher risk of myopia than patients diagnosed with ptosis before age 3. There was no significant difference of the risk of astigmatism, amblyopia, and hyperopia between age groups. Conclusions: Children with ptosis may exhibit a higher risk of astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia, and amblyopia than children without ptosis. The risk of myopia is higher in children with ptosis diagnosed at >3 years than those diagnosed at ≤3 years.

Advances in the genetics of congenital ptosis

Congenital ptosis, a birth defects presents at birth or by 1 year of age, is characterized by the drooping of the upper eyelid. either in isolation (non-syndromic) or with many different systemic disorders (syndromic). The estimated prevalence of ptosis (congenital & acquired) ranges from 0.79 to 1.99 per 10,000 people in different populations, and it is more prevalent in males. The underlying pathogenesis of congenital ptosis are myogenic and neurogenic, related to the development of muscles and nerves. Although most cases are sporadic, there are familial transmission characteristics, including autosomal dominant, recessive mode and X-linkage inheritance patterns. Moreover, some forms are due to chromosomal aberrations and mutations and deletions in mitochondrial DNA. Genes involved in simple congenital ptosis are ZFHX4 and COL25A1. The clinical aspects of various syndromes involving congenital ptosis are partly caused by single gene mutations. However, the pathogenesis of congenital ptosis is not fully understood. We review the reported epidemiology, genetics and clinical features of congenital ptosis and associated syndromes here.

Aesthetic Correction of Mild-to-Moderate Blepharoptosis Among Asians: The Bridge Technique

Introduction

Although several surgical methods have been introduced to treat mild-to-moderate blepharoptosis, including levator-based techniques such as Müller muscle–conjunctival resection, few complications and better functional and aesthetic outcomes remain elusive for plastic surgeons. Hence, this study aimed to provide a new technique (bridge technique) using the levator aponeurosis–Müller’s muscle flap to achieve optimal blepharoptosis correction for function and aesthetics among Asians.

Methods

From January 2019 to May 2020, this new technique was performed on 157 consecutive patients with mild-to-moderate blepharoptosis. Our technique was based on the anchor of the levator complex to the tarsus using mattress stitches and three-layer fixation, which provided a reliable motion transmitter for elevating the upper eyelid. The patients’ medical records and photographs were reviewed 12 months postoperatively to assess the margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), incidence of complications, and aesthetic outcomes.

Results

The average preoperative and postoperative MRD1 measured 1.2 ± 0.31 mm and 3.7 ± 0.34 mm, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the preoperative and postoperative distance values (p < 0.001). In the aesthetic evaluation, the grading was good, fair, and poor for 142 (90.4%) patients, 10 (6.4%) patients, and 5 (3.2%) patients, respectively. Complications included undercorrection in 12 (5.2%) cases and overcorrection in nine (3.9%) cases, and no cases of residual lagophthalmos were recorded.

Conclusion

Mild-to-moderate blepharoptosis among Asians can be corrected effectively using this new technique. However, the long-term outcomes of this procedure should be explored.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40123-021-00417-3.

Decreased smooth muscle component in Müller's muscle may induce or aggravate blepharoptosis in elderly Asians

Previous studies have suggested that the senile ptosis is mostly aponeurotic ptosis. Aponeurotic ptosis, the most common cause of acquired ptosis in elderly adults, results from disinsertion or dehiscence of the levator aponeurosis from the tarsal plate. Müller's Muscle is located below the levator aponeurosis, and its main function is to contribute to a few millimeter in upper eyelid elevation. In recent years, studies have shown that Müller's Muscle plays a more important role in the eye-opening process than previously reported. There are few reports on the changes of smooth muscle component with age in Müller's Muscle. As far as we know, it has not been written up previously. Through histological study on Müller's Muscle of Chinese cadaver specimens, we found that Müller's Muscle contained obvious smooth muscle components above the upper edge of the tarsus in the specimen of a child. However, in elderly specimens, we observed that the smooth muscle components decreased gradually even faded away from originated inferior branch of levator superioris muscle to upper margin of tarsus. We hypothesized that the number of smooth muscle components in Müller's Muscle gradually decreases, with the increase of age, which further affects the function of Müller's Muscle in assisting levator muscle, and further causes or aggravates ptosis. Our hypothesis needs to be further verified by more autopsy histological studies of different ages and genders, so as to provide a new idea for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ptosis.

Assessment of Long-Term Anterior and Posterior Topographic Changes in the Cornea After Ptosis Surgery Using Fourier Harmonic Analysis

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the corneal refractive changes induced by ptosis surgery in patients with acquired ptosis using Fourier harmonic analysis.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study enrolled consecutive patients who underwent levator aponeurotic surgery for acquired ptosis at the Department of Ophthalmology in the University of Tokyo Hospital from May 2016 to January 2018. Best corrected visual acuity, central corneal thickness, average keratometric corneal power (AvgK), corneal astigmatism, and topographic data using Fourier analysis were analyzed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients (age, 72.6 ± 8.5 years) were included in this study. There were no significant differences in best corrected visual acuity and central corneal thickness. However, there were significant decreases in anterior AvgK, anterior corneal astigmatism, and posterior corneal astigmatism 6 months postoperatively (all, P < 0.001). Fourier harmonic analysis showed that the anterior spherical component significantly decreased 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in other components of the anterior and posterior cornea. There was a significant negative correlation between preoperative posterior AvgK and changes in posterior AvgK (r = -0.891, P < 0.001) and between preoperative posterior corneal astigmatism and changes in posterior corneal astigmatism at 6 months (r = -0.858, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior and posterior corneal keratometry and posterior corneal astigmatism significantly changed 6 months after ptosis surgery for acquired ptosis.

Changes in Refraction and Visual Acuity after Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty versus Posterior Approach Ptosis Procedures

PURPOSE

To evaluate surgically induced refractive changes (SIRC) and visual acuity (VA) changes after blepharoplasty combined with posterior approach ptosis surgery (Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection [MMCR]) versus upper eyelid blepharoplasty alone.

METHODS

In this prospective, comparative, clinical study on patients undergoing MMCR and blepharoplasty, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. SIRC were calculated with the 10-step Holladay method.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients participated in the study, 31 in the blepharoplasty group and 25 in the ptosis group. logMAR VA improved significantly after surgery in both groups (p < 0.001). In both groups, most patients showed significant changes in SIRC sphere and spherical equivalent of >0.5 D (blepharoplasty group: 61.29 and 67.74%; ptosis group: 72.72 and 72.72%, respectively). Patients undergoing combined blepharoplasty ptosis surgery showed the greatest SIRC cylinder.

CONCLUSIONS

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty with or without MMCR is associated with significant SIRC 3 months postoperatively. This may affect decision-making for all patients, especially for those who intend to seek refractive correction in addition to the index upper eyelid surgery.

Mild to moderate blepharoptosis correction: Outcomes of levator aponeurosis posterior layer plication

Conventional levator aponeurosis plication is a widely accepted technique for correction of mild to moderate ptosis. However, this method is associated with a high recurrence rate. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of levator aponeurosis posterior layer plication technique for correction of mild to moderate ptosis.A convenience sampling approach was used to recruit 450 patients with mild to moderate blepharoptosis at the Guangzhou Eye-Nose-Face Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Hospital between August, 2015 and December, 2017. All participants were treated with levator aponeurosis posterior layer plication technique. The primary outcome was the postoperative change in marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1). The paired t test was used to determine the clinical efficacy. Outcomes were assessed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.The mean preoperative MRD1 was 1.7 ± 0.5 mm, and the mean postoperative MRD1 at 6-month follow-up was 3.7 ± 0.4 mm (P < .0001). According to the postoperative survey, 427 (94.9%) patients were satisfied with surgical outcomes.This modified levator aponeurosis plication technique is a simple and effective procedure for correction of mild to moderate blepharoptosis. It results in good MRD1 and high patient satisfaction.

Amblyopia, Strabismus and Refractive Errors in Congenital Ptosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Congenital ptosis may be associated with abnormalities of visual development and function, including amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors. However, the prevalence estimates of these abnormalities vary widely. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors in congenital ptosis. Cochrane, Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched by July 2017. We used random/fixed effects models based on a proportion approach to estimate the prevalence. Heterogeneity would be considered signifcant if the p values less than 0.1 and/or I² greater than 50%. Subgroup analyses, meta-regression analyses and sensitivity analyses were utilized to explore the potential sources of it. A total of 24 studies selected from 3,633 references were included. The highest prevalence was revealed for myopia with 30.2% (95%CI 3.0-69.8%), followed by 22.7% (95%CI 18.5-27.8%) for amblyopia, 22.2% (95%CI 7.8-63.1%) for astigmatism, 19.6% (95%CI 16.5-23.2%) for strabismus, 17.3% (95% CI 13.1-22.9%) for anisometropia and 4.0% for hyperopia (95%CI 1.8-7.1%). Significant heterogeneity was identified across most estimates. Our findings suggest that amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors in congenital ptosis are present in much higher percentage. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients with congenital ptosis.