15 Repair of Upper Eyelid Retraction (Internal and External)
Book
Editors: Freitag, Suzanne K.; Lee, N. Grace; Lefebvre, Daniel R.; Yoon, Michael K.
Title: Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery
Subtitle: Tricks of the Trade
Print ISBN: 9781626238978; Online ISBN: 9781626238985; Book DOI: 10.1055/b-006-163725
2020 © 2020 Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart
Subjects: Ophthalmology, Optometry;Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery
Thieme Clinical Collections (English Language)
Summary
Retraction of the upper eyelid may lead to significant ocular surface vulnerability and discomfort. This most commonly occurs in the setting of thyroid eye disease, but can also be seen in congenital eyelid malformation, or following surgery or trauma. The proper eyelid height can be restored by an external or internal approach, with external levator recession providing the maximal eyelid recession. These procedures can be further augmented with use of fixed or adjustable sutures for additional eyelid contour enhancement. Intraoperative eyelid height assessment is essential. Obtaining reliable results can be particularly challenging in patients with thyroid eye disease. Serious postoperative complications are rare.