Corneal Astigmatism With Upper Eyelid Gold Weight Implantation Using the Combined High Pretarsal and Levator Fixation Technique

Implantation of a Newly Designed Supratarsal Gold Weight versus the Traditional Pretarsal Model for the Correction of Long-standing Paralytic Lagophthalmos: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background  The study determined to compare the clinical outcomes of traditional gold weight implantation for the correction of paralytic lagophthalmos with those of a newly designed model. Methods  In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled 30 patients (76% females; average age 60.8 ± 12 years) with facial palsy who underwent implantation of either the traditional pretarsal gold weight (PT group; n  = 15) or a new supratarsal model (ST group; n  = 15) from May 2014 to April 2019. The main outcome measures were the 12-month postoperative weight prominence, weight migration, improvement of lagophthalmos, upper eyelid contour, and upper eyelid ptosis. The secondary outcome was long-term (24 months) reoperative rate. Results  The new model group had significantly better eyelid contour (risk ratio [RR] 3.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.62-6.15, p  = 0.001), less weight prominence (RR 1.74, 95% CI 1.13-2.70, p  = 0.013), less weight migration (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12-1.54, p  = 0.001), and less eyelid ptosis (RR 2.36, 95% CI 1.21-4.59, p  = 0.011) than the traditional model group. Improvement of lagophthalmos was not statistically significant between the two groups (RR 1.44, 95% CI 0.72-2.91, p  = 0.303). The 24-month reoperative rate was 53.3% in the PT group versus 13.3% in the ST group (RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.15-3.49, p  = 0.015). Conclusion  The newly designed supratarsal gold weight showed superior postoperative outcomes than the standard traditional model.

Oculoplastic aspects of ocular surface disease and their management

The normal structure and function of the eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctival fornices, and lacrimal system are essential for the health of the ocular surface, and abnormalities of these structures accompany many cases of ocular surface disease. We describe the role of oculoplastic intervention in the context of ocular surface disease, focusing on blink disorders, lagophthalmos, entropion, lid scarring and keratinization, trichiasis, and punctal and lacrimal sac disease.

Controversies in periocular reconstruction for facial nerve palsy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Periocular rehabilitation of the patient with a facial nerve palsy has evolved over time. Although protection of the ocular surface is paramount, application of disfiguring tarsorrhaphies should be utilized only in special situations. The purpose of this review is to discuss current surgical and medical strategies in treatment of the periocular area in patients with facial nerve palsy to give maximal functional and cosmetic results.

RECENT FINDINGS

Upper lid lagophthalmos is preferentially treated with upper eyelid weights. Platinum has distinct advantages over gold. A supratarsal position of the upper lid weight is preferred over a pretarsal location. Lower lid malposition should be treated as a retraction, rather than an ectropion. Recalcitrant ocular surface disease can be effectively managed with a scleral lens. Tearing in the patient with a facial nerve palsy is often multifactorial; small lumen Jones tubes and botulinum toxin injection to the lacrimal gland should be considered to treat epiphora in these patients.

SUMMARY

A facial nerve palsy can be devastating for patients from both a functional and cosmetic perspective. Although seismic shifts in treatment of the periocular subunit have not occurred, there are a number of small, yet significant, changes in treatment that should be adopted in taking care of these patients.

Update on the ophthalmic management of facial paralysis

Bell's palsy is the most common neurologic condition affecting the cranial nerves. Lagophthalmos, exposure keratopathy, and corneal ulceration are potential complications. In this review, we evaluate various causes of facial paralysis as well as the level 1 evidence supporting the use of a short course of oral steroids for idiopathic Bell's palsy to improve functional outcomes. Various surgical and nonsurgical techniques are also discussed for the management of residual facial dysfunction.

Late outcomes of gold weights and platinum chains for upper eyelid loading

AIM

To identify late outcomes of gold weights (GWs) and platinum chains (PCs) for upper eyelid loading in the management of lagophthalmos.

METHODS

A retrospective case series of upper eyelid GWs and PCs at a single centre over a 10-year period (2004-2013). Two independent, blinded assessors graded standard photographs for any weight-related morbidity (poor upper eyelid contour, weight prominence and migration).

RESULTS

Primary upper eyelid loading (high-tarsal technique) was performed in 154 eyelids of 136 patients (facial nerve palsy, n=99; non-paralytic, n=37). A total of 127 eyelids of 110 patients had primary GW insertion. Of these, 40.9% (52/127) had revision surgery: exchange of GW for PC (58%), GW repositioning (25%) and removal of GW (17%). Only 22.2% (6/27 eyelids) with primary PCs required revision surgery. In those not requiring revision surgery, photograph grading showed that both GWs and PCs had weight-related morbidity at late follow-up (median=37.5 months, range 12-110 vs median=33.5 month, range 15-106). GWs had significantly higher rate of weight prominence (p=0.001) and migration (p<0.001) compared with PCs. All PC revisions required one procedure only compared with 10% of GWs revisions requiring two or more procedures. Incidence of gold allergy was 7% (8/110 patients). There was no association between the choice of weight material, physical weight or suture material and eyelid morbidities.

CONCLUSION

GWs were found to be associated with higher complications and twice more likely to require long-term revision surgery compared with PCs. Despite weight fixation at a high-tarsal location, prominence of PCs can still occur.

[Gold weight implants for lagophthalmos correction in chronic facial nerve paralysis (late results)]

Upper eyelid weigh gold implant is the widely accepted standard for the treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos (PL).

AIM

To evaluate late outcomes of PL correction with chain gold implants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Chain gold implants were inserted in the upper eyelids of 70 patients with lagophthalmos due to chronic facial paralysis. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed prior to surgery and then at months 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36.

RESULTS

The results obtained prove the method highly effective. None of the patients developed any severe complications. Cases of implant removal were few. Some of the studied biometric parameters decreased significantly after surgery, while the upper eyelid excursion increased. The implant had no effect on the inner surface of the cornea and its peripheral thickness.

CONCLUSION

Efficacy of the proposed eyelid implant has been convincingly demonstrated; late complications have been analyzed.

[Correction of paralytic lagophthalmos]

Current options for correction of paralytic lagophthalmos are either temporary (external eyelid weight placement, hyaluronic acid gel or botulinum toxin A injection) or permanent (various procedures for narrowing of the palpebral fissure, upper eyelid weights or spring implantation). Neuroplastic surgery (cross-facial nerve grafting, nerve anastomoses) and muscle transposition surgery is not effective enough. The majority of elderly and medically compromised patients should not be considered for such complicated and long procedures. Upper eyelid weight implantation thus appears the most reliable and simple treatment.

Lid loading for treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos

Lagophthalmos secondary to facial palsy is a most clinically important condition that requires effective and early treatment because prolonged corneal exposure may cause corneal lesions, ranging from corneal spots to corneal ulceration and finally blindness. Lid loading is the therapy used most commonly to treat the condition. This method was first described in 1950, modified in 1966, and popularized in 1974. Since its inception, only several reviews have referred to the technology, but they talked about only parts of this technology and did not provide information on the technology overall. This review discusses lid loading in detail. This method now often uses gold and platinum as the material for the implant and should be done as early as possible in those patients whose paralytic lagophthalmos has little chance of being reversed. This method has shown good clinical results and given patients a better perspective. Of course, this method has its intrinsic complications such as allergic reactions, extrusion, and migration. However, with modification of the implant and the surgical procedure, the complication rate has decreased. In conclusion, although lid loading cannot solve all the problems associated with the paralyzed eyelid, it is a simple, reversible, and effective way to treat paralytic lagophthalmos.

Medical and surgical management of facial nerve palsy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the results of recently published studies on the medical management of Bell's palsy and highlight strategies in the surgical management of facial nerve palsy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although corticosteroid and antiviral therapy have been proposed for the treatment of Bell's palsy for many years, the clinical efficacy of these treatments has been debated in the literature due to the lack of conclusive evidence from large-scale clinical trials. However, recently completed randomized, controlled studies have found that the early administration of corticosteroids improves the chances of full recovery in patients with Bell's palsy. But there remains insufficient evidence supporting the routine use of antiviral medications in the treatment of Bell's palsy. In addition, improvement in surgical techniques has allowed the introduction of a number of surgical procedures for patients with permanent facial nerve palsy.

SUMMARY

On the basis of the results of several recently completed randomized, controlled studies, corticosteroid therapy has proven to be efficacious in the treatment of Bell's palsy and should be offered to patients presenting within 72 h of symptom onset with consideration to the addition of antiviral therapy for severe cases. Currently available surgical procedures can minimize the complications associated with permanent facial nerve palsy.

Facial nerve palsy: anatomy, etiology, evaluation, and management

The ophthalmologist may be the first clinician to see a patient who presents with acute facial nerve palsy. Under such circumstances the ophthalmologist should make every effort to establish the underlying cause of the facial palsy and ensure that the patient's cornea is adequately protected. This article reviews the anatomy of the facial nerve, the varied disorders that may cause a facial palsy, a detailed evaluation of such a patient, and the various medical and surgical treatments available.