Ptosis after cataract surgery

Complications of XEN gel stent implantation for the treatment of glaucoma: a systematic review

Aim

This study was aimed to summarize the complications and their management associated with XEN gel stent implantation.

Methods

A systematic review of literature was conducted using Medline (via PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library databases, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, from their inception to February 1, 2024.

Results

A total of 48 studies published between 2017 and 2024 were identified and included in the systematic review, including 16 original studies (retrospective or prospective clinical studies), 28 case reports, and 4 case series, which followed patients for up to 5 years. Early postoperative complications of XEN gel stent implantation include hypotony maculopathy (1.9-4.6%), occlusion (3.9-8.8%), suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH), choroidal detachment (0-15%), conjunctival erosion, and exposure of the XEN gel stent (1.1-2.3%), wound and bleb leaks (2.1%) and malignant glaucoma (MG) (2.2%). Mid-postoperative complications of XEN gel stent implantation included migration of XEN (1.5%), ptosis (1.2%), endophthalmitis (0.4-3%), macular edema (1.5-4.3%), hypertrophic bleb (8.8%) and subconjunctival XEN gel stent fragmentation (reported in 2 cases). Late postoperative complications reported in cases included spontaneous dislocation and intraocular degradation.

Conclusion

XEN gel stent implantation is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedure for glaucoma, known for its potential to minimize tissue damage and reduce surgical duration. However, it is crucial to note that despite these advantages, there remains a risk of severe complications, including endophthalmitis, SCH, and MG. Therefore, postoperative follow-up and early recognition of severe complications are essential for surgical management.

Ptosis effects on intraocular lens power calculation

PURPOSE

To evaluate quantitatively ocular biometric parameters and intraocular lens (IOL) power measurements after ptosis surgery.

SETTING

Adiyaman University Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey.

DESIGN

Comparative prospective clinical study.

METHODS

This study comprised involutional ptosis patients divided into droopy eyelid severity groups: Group 1: >4 mm, Group 2: 3 to 4 mm, and Group 3: 1 to 2 mm. The patients underwent anterior levator resection, and preoperative and postoperative biometry measurements at 3 months postoperatively were obtained.

RESULTS

The Group 1 sample size was 19, Group 2 was 22, and Group 3 was 16. The mean flattest keratometry (K 1 ), steepest keratometry (K 2 ), and mean keratometry (K m ) values significantly decreased at 3 months postoperatively in Group 1 ( P < .001 for all). The mean K 1 , K 2 , and K m values nonsignificantly decreased at 3 months postoperatively in Groups 2 and 3 ( P > .05 for all). The mean corneal astigmatism magnitude decreased at 3 months postoperatively in Group 1 ( P < .01), Group 2 ( P = .186), and Group 3 ( P = .952). The mean recommended IOL powers targeting emmetropia increased postoperatively in Group 1 and were similar preoperatively and postoperatively in Groups 2 and 3. In Group 1, the mean changes after ptosis surgery by the formula were 0.47 diopters (D) for SRK/T, 0.52 D for Hoffer Q, 0.55 D for Haigis, 0.50 D for Barrett Universal II, and 0.55 D for Holladay 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Ptosis >4 mm significantly affects corneal curvature values and IOL power calculations when cataract surgery is planned. Surgeons might consider altering their lens power choice accordingly if cataract surgery is to be sequentially followed by ptosis repair.

Oculoplastic Surgeries in Patients Older than 90 Years of Age

PURPOSE

To report the epidemiology, indications and surgical outcomes of oculoplastic surgeries in older adults (≥ 90 years old).

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted reviewing the medical charts of 114 patients aged 90 years old and older who underwent oculoplastic procedures from 2010 to 2020. Data retrieved from the medical records included: past medical and ocular history, indication for surgery, type of surgery, intra and post-operative complications, pathological analysis for removed tissues, and surgical outcome in the last follow-up.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty eight surgeries were performed on 114 patients (male: female = 1:1). The mean age was 92.95 years old (± 3.12 SD). Six patients (5.2%) were older than 100 years old. The most common indication for surgery was lower lid malpositioning (32%). Mass/lesion excision was performed in 34 procedures (25%). Forty-three biopsies were analyzed and basal cell carcinoma was found to be the most common pathological diagnosis (32%). Hypertension was the most common associated systemic comorbidity (79 patients, 69%). 80% of the surgeries were performed under local anesthesia. Surgical revision was required in seven patients (5.2%). One patient had suffered from a minor stroke one day after the surgical pocedure. The same patient had orbital-skin fistulas after orbital exenteration.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, oculoplastic surgeries among the elderly population are safe without significant complications and can usually be performed under local anesthesia. Advanced age should not prevent surgery, especially if the procedure may improve vision and quality of life.

Factors associated with the development of blepharoptosis after pars plana vitrectomy surgery

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence and risk factors for developing blepharoptosis after vitrectomy surgery.

METHODS

This prospective observational study conducted in patients who had vitrectomy surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. The patients' eyelids were photographed before, surgery and follow-up visits at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Levator excursion (LE), palpebral fissure (PF) height and marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) changes from baseline were evaluated. Operative parameters associated with lid parameter changes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight eyes were enrolled in the study. Multivariate analysis performed for PF changes from pre-operative were -0.47 mm, 0.33 mm, and 0.09 mm at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after surgery, respectively (p-value 0.1, 0.2, and 0.8). The mean change of LE from preoperative was -0.44 mm, -0.15 mm, and 0.35 mm at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after surgery, respectively (p-value 0.3, 0.7 and 0.4). The reduction of MRD1 at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after surgery were -0.08 mm, -0.13 mm and -0.01 mm, respectively (p = .003, p = .6 and 0.9). Triamcinolone usage was associated with reduction of MRD1 and LE.

CONCLUSION

Blepharoptosis presents most during the first week after surgery. The possibility of developing transient changes in eyelid position after vitrectomy surgery should be discussed with patients.

Changes in eyelid position after glaucoma filtering surgery

BACKGROUND

While ptosis is a well-known consequence of glaucoma surgery, some isolated case reports point to the possibility of upper eyelid retraction occurring after glaucoma surgery. This study aims to analyze the occurrence of ptosis and eyelid retraction after glaucoma surgery and to evaluate factors contributing to these palpebral fissure changes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 100 eyes of 100 patients that had undergone unilateral glaucoma surgery. Upper eyelid height in the operated eye was measured by digital photography and compared with the fellow, non-operated eye. The main outcome was to determine if ptosis or retraction occurred in the operated eye in comparison with the fellow eye. The secondary outcome was to determine if any variable was associated with ptosis or retraction. A clinically significant difference (either toward ptosis or retraction) was defined as a difference ≥1 mm between both eyes.

RESULTS

Of 100 eyes included 81 (81%) showed no change in eyelid height (-0.133 mm ± 0.496), 11 (11%) showed ptosis (-1.348 mm ± 0.387) and 8 eyes (8%) showed retraction (1.705 ± 0.634). A statistically significant relation was found between ptosis and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (p = 0.003). A trend toward lower postoperative IOP and higher conjunctival blebs was found in eyes with postoperative eyelid retraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Eyelid retraction was present in 8% of patients and ptosis in 11%. Patients with eyelid retraction showed around a 3 mmHg lower postoperative IOP than eyes without retraction. The presence of pseudoexfoliation may be a risk factor for this complication. A prospective study with a large number of patients would be required to confirm these results.

Efficacy and safety of blepharoptosis repair after incisional glaucoma surgery

PURPOSE

There is an increased risk for development of blepharoptosis after incisional glaucoma surgery. Data on safety and efficacy of ptosis repair in this group of patients in limited. The goal of this study is to evaluate outcomes and identify potential risk factors for failure of ptosis repair in eyes with history of incisional glaucoma surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who underwent incisional glaucoma surgery, specifically trabeculectomy or implantation of glaucoma drainage device (GDD), and subsequent ptosis repair at a single institution from 2009 to 2019. Ptosis surgery outcomes were compared to a control group who underwent ptosis repair after cataract surgery.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight eyes of 64 patients were included in the glaucoma surgery group. The rate of severe ptosis (margin reflex distance 1 ⩽ 0 mm) among glaucoma surgery patients was higher compared to control (35 of 78 (44.9%) vs 23 of 82 (28.6%). Ptosis repair was successful in 59 of 78 eyes (75.6%), which was similar to control. Risk for revision surgery was increased more than five-fold in the GDD group compared to control. There were no cases of early or late bleb-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Ptosis repair can be performed safely in patients after incisional glaucoma surgery. Müller muscle conjunctival resection and external levator advancement are equally effective. Patients with history of GDD should be advised about the potentially increased risk of need for revision surgery.

The Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Blepharoptosis in Taiwanese Population

BACKGROUND

Blepharoptosis describes a condition of low-lying upper eyelid that may affect individuals of all ages under various etiologies. It may be of congenital or acquired form by the timing of onset or be divided into myogenic, neurogenic, aponeurotic, or mechanical types according to the mechanism. Our goal was to report the characteristics of age-specific blepharoptosis and to analyze the association between levator function (LF) and ptosis severity of each ptosis subtype.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study consisted of patients diagnosed with blepharoptosis in the plastic surgery practice at a medical center between September 2009 and May 2017. We reported patients' age at presentation, sex, laterality of ptosis, etiology, classification, and evaluation of ptosis including levator function and ptosis severity.

RESULTS

During a nine-year span of study, a total of 1975 eyelids of 1164 Taiwanese patients aged between 2 and 88 years were enrolled in the research (mean = 57.73 ± 13.41 years). The female-to-male ratio was 2.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]: p < 0.0001). Acquired blepharoptosis and bilateral blepharoptosis were more frequently observed (55.85%, p < 0.0001 and 69.67%, p < 0.0001, respectively). In age-specific relative incidence of blepharoptosis, myogenic ptosis was the majority in patients younger than 40 years. Early onset of aponeurotic ptosis was observed in young contact lenses wearers. Aponeurotic blepharoptosis was the predominant type of ptosis in the senior population older than 40 years (p < 0.0001). Among the subtypes, mechanical ptosis had the most preserved LF (p < 0.0001). LF and MRD1 had statistically positive correlations in all subtypes of blepharoptosis, in which neurogenic ptosis demonstrated the severest levator dysfunction for each millimeter in MRD1 reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the 1164 Taiwanese patients, blepharoptosis had a higher propensity for female gender and the age between the second to fourth decades. Bilateral involvement of blepharoptosis with acquired type was frequently diagnosed. Myogenic ptosis had a preponderance in age younger than 40 years, while aponeurotic ptosis usually affects senile population. Many mild degree myogenic ptosis was simultaneously recognized in young-aged adults seeking aesthetic double eyelid surgery. Early onset of acquired aponeurotic ptosis was also observed in contact lens wearers given the trend of decorative contact lens use. Levator dysfunction was implicated in the pathology of not only myogenic ptosis but aponeurotic, mechanical, and neurogenic ptosis. Moreover, levator function of neurogenic ptosis was most severely impacted in each MRD₁ reduction among all subtypes of blepharoptosis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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An Objective Evaluation of the Upper Eyelid Position after Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To objectively measure the upper eyelid position following phacoemulsification cataract surgery and to identify the determinants of postoperative transient ptosis. Methods: This is a single arm prospective study of patients who underwent cataract surgery from January to May 2017 at a tertiary Eye Hospital in Spain. Data comprised of: the type of anesthesia, the duration that the speculum remained in place and the total surgical time (duration of the procedure). The total surgical time was defined as, the time from the beginning of the paracentesis to the closure of the wounds (incision time). Digital photographs were obtained of: the face with the eye in primary gaze, looking inferiorly and superiorly, preoperatively, and 1, 30, 90 and 180 days postoperatively. Measurements for eyelid crease, levator function, and marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) were performed using ImageJ. Statistical analysis was performed of the difference between the preoperative and postoperative measurements. Results: The study consisted of 112 patients. The median lid crease was 9.0 mm [IQR (interquartile range) 7.5; 10.0] both preoperatively and at 180 days postoperatively (IQR 8.0; 10.8). No statistical difference was determined in the lid crease measurements between these two times (P = .17). The median levator function differed significantly preoperatively, at day 1 and 30, 60 and 180 days postoperatively (P < .01). MRD1 decreased significantly from a median of 3.01 mm preoperatively to 2.7 mm at 30 days postoperatively (P = .05) but was similar at preoperative and after 180 days (P = .7). The correlation of MRD1 to the duration of the speculum in place (P = .2) and the incision time (P = .57) was not significant. Conclusions: Ptosis, following phacoemulsification cataract surgery, is mild and transient, occurring only in the early postoperative period.

Incidence and risk of ptosis following ocular surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of ptosis following ocular surgery.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles that assessed the incidence or risk factors of ptosis following ocular surgery up to October 2017. We used a fixed effects model to calculate a pooled estimate of incidence, with subgroup analyses to evaluate the effect of different variables. The relative risks (RRs) or odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all available factors were calculated using the fixed effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies on 2856 eyes were analyzed, including 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 13 cohort studies. The overall incidence of ptosis following ocular surgery was 11.4% (95% CI 10.1-12.8%). Subgroup analyses showed that the region and the surgery type were significantly associated with the incidence of postoperative ptosis. Men were less likely to get postoperative ptosis than women (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.89). However, age (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.48-1.23), side (OR 1.37; 95% CI 0.84-2.25), type of anesthesia (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.16-2.05), prior surgery (OR 1.09; 95% CI 0.64-1.83), bridle suture (OR 2.04; 95% CI 0.94-4.42), or combined surgery (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.58-1.57) did not significantly change the risk of ptosis following ocular surgery.

CONCLUSION

More than one in ten patients who undergo ocular surgery will develop ptosis. Different regions and surgery types may influence the occurrence of this abnormality. Female gender is a risk factor for development of postoperative ptosis.

Ptosis after glaucoma surgery

PURPOSE

Evaluate factors contributing to ptosis after glaucoma surgery.

METHODS

Three-year retrospective chart review from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2015, 157 eyes, 3 surgeons, at Boston Medical Center, to determine the incidence of ptosis and the effects of each variable contributing to ptosis at 3 months after surgery. Each variable was analyzed using the chi-square or independent samples t-test analysis to determine statistical significance of ptosis compared with above variables.

RESULTS

The t-test or chi-square analysis showed that gender, steroid duration, use of mitomycin C, duration of surgery, and prior surgeries were not statistically significant factors for ptosis. There was a statistically significant association between those <70 years of age and ptosis (P<0.05), non-combined surgery and ptosis (P<0.05), shunting surgery and ptosis (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ptotic changes occurred more often in those who have shunting (Ahmed and Baerveldt) surgeries compared with filtering (trabeculectomy and Express) surgeries.

Influence of upper and temporal transconjunctival sclerocorneal incision on marginal reflex distance after cataract surgery

Background

Ptosis incidence following cataract surgery is reduced with a recently developed phacoemulsification technique using a small incision. However, it remains uncertain whether an upper transconjunctival sclerocorneal incision can cause minor blepharoptosis. In the present prospective study, patients underwent cataract surgery with either an upper or temporal 2.4-mm transconjunctival sclerocorneal incision. We measured the marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) preoperatively and postoperatively, and compared these measurements between the two different incision types. Further we explored the risk factors of the postoperative MRD1 reduction.

Methods

The study population included patients who underwent cataract surgery on both eyes at Aichi Medical University between October 2013 and September 2015. In each patient, one eye was operated using an upper 2.4-mm transconjunctival sclerocorneal incision, and the other with a temporal incision. We prespecified that an MRD1 difference of ≥0.5 mm between the pre- and post-surgical measurements indicated postoperative ptosis, which was a strict criterion. MRD1 was measured using digital photography, and we calculated the difference between the preoperative and postoperative MRD1 values. This change in MRD1 was compared between the groups with different incision locations. The change in MRD1 was analyzed by using the multivariate regression model including incision position (temporal or upper), preoperative MRD1, and preoperative distance between medial and lateral canthi.

Results

We assessed data from a total of 34 patients. The mean change in MRD1 from pre-operation to post-operation measurements was −0.26 ± 0.93 with the temporal incision and −0.24 ± 0.86 with the upper incision. The mean difference in the change in MRD1 between the different two incision types was −0.02, with a 95 % CI of −0.24 to 0.20, establishing equivalence between these incision types. The multivariate regression analysis showed that the preoperative MRD1 was significantly associated with the reduction of MRD1 after surgery (p = 0.034).

Conclusions

Cataract surgery using upper and temporal 2.4-mm transconjunctival sclerocorneal incisions are clinically equivalent with regards to change in MRD1, and neither incision type caused critical postoperative ptosis. The longer preoperative MRD1 was significantly associated with the reduction of MRD1 after surgery.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials UMIN000022310. Retrospectively registered 14 May 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12886-016-0286-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mechanical testing of lid speculae and relationship to postoperative ptosis

AIMS

Postoperative lid malpositions are known complications of routine intraocular surgery and were previously attributed to the use of a bridle suture or the myotoxic effect of retrobulbar or peribulbar anaesthetics. However, lid malpositions are still seen under topical anaesthesia. Recent studies have implicated the lid speculum as a factor. Patients with narrower vertical palpebral apertures have been shown to develop postoperative ptosis more frequently, but the reason is unknown. This is the first study to determine the forces exerted by lid speculae over a range of palpebral apertures.

METHODS

Mechanical testing was undertaken using a Bose 3200 materials testing machine. Tests were undertaken on four disposable and four reusable speculae. The force used to compress each speculum was compared over a range of displacements. A two-sample t-test was used to compare the stiffness of the two types of speculum.

RESULTS

The stiffness of the reusable speculum was significantly greater than the disposable speculum (P=0.002). The stiffness of each speculum was greatest at the range of displacement corresponding to the narrower palpebral apertures.

CONCLUSIONS

Different speculae exert significantly different forces on patients' eyelids during surgery. The patients who experience the greatest compression from the speculae are those with the smallest palpebral apertures. This may explain why these patients are more likely to develop postoperative lid malpositions.

Blepharoptosis following anterior segment surgery: a new theory for an old problem

Blepharoptosis is a well-known complication following anterior segment surgery. However, its precise aetiology remains elusive. There are currently two widely held views on the pathogenesis of persistent postoperative ptosis, namely the speculum and bridle suture theories. However, both suggested explanations fail to address important anatomical and epidemiological features of this condition. Until now, the majority of published literature describing persistent postoperative ptosis following anterior segment surgery has largely concentrated on dehiscence of the levator aponeurosis as the common mechanism underlying this postoperative complication. However, numerous studies have failed to show any correlation between pre or postoperative skin crease positions in such patients. This review article discusses previously proposed mechanisms responsible for both transient and persistent ptosis. Furthermore, we propose an alternative mechanism for the development of ptosis following anterior segment surgery, namely horizontal stretch of the upper eyelid induced by the use of the speculum. This mechanism also provides a plausible explanation for less commonly described oculoplastic complications, such as lower lid malpositions, following anterior segment surgery. Postoperative ptosis may also act as a paradigm for the development of involutional ptosis in general. In view of the frequency with which ophthalmologists perform anterior segment procedures such as cataract surgery, postoperative ptosis represents a significant concern for all ocular surgeons. Identifying the underlying mechanism is imperative, not only to identify those patients at greatest risk, but also to perhaps provide novel surgical approaches to the management of this complication.

The incidence of ptosis following extracapsular and phacoemulsification surgery: comparison of two prospective studies and review of the literature

We prospectively compared 120 patients who underwent either phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract (ECCE) surgery to establish the incidence of postoperative ptosis between the two techniques. Of the 120 patients, 60 underwent ECCE (unpublished data 1989) and 60 had phacoemulsification. Data was collected prospectively on upper and lower margin reflex distance, upper lid skin crease and levator function, preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. Photographs were taken pre and postoperatively and examined by a blinded observer. At 6 weeks, ptosis was present in 18% of ECCE patients compared with 0% in the phacoemulsification group. By changing from ECCE to phacoemulsification the incidence of postoperative ptosis has reduced. The possibility to induce postoperative ptosis remains, potential mechanisms are discussed.