ABSTRACT
Medical records of 27 patients(34 eyes)with upper and lower eyelid retraction were reviewed to evaluate the surgical efficacy from September 1987 through September 1999 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine. The causes of 23 patients(28 eyes)with the upper eyelid retraction revealed ptosis overcorrection(12 eyes), thyroid ophthalmopathy(7 eyes), trauma(6 eyes)and congenital deformity(3 eyes). Recession of upper eyelid retractors was performed in all cases and combined M u llerectomy was carried out in 4 eyes of thyroid ophthalmopathy. Preserved sclera was used as a spacer in 2 eyes. For the 4 patients(6 eyes)with lower eyelid retraction, recession of lower eyelid retractors was performed and preserved sclera was used in 4 eyes. After the follow-up periods of 6 to 60 months(mean 27 months), 25 eyes(89%)of the upper eyelid retractions and all of the 6 lower eyelid retractions showed good cosmetic appearance. Postoperative problems included asymmetry of upper eyelid contour(1 eye), overcorrection(4 eyes), and undercorrection(2 eyes). Advancement of levator aponeurosis was performed in 2 overcorrected cases with good result. Recession of the upper or lower eyelid retractors with or without M u llerectomy allowed satisfactory appearance for the patients with upper and lower eyelid retraction. Spacer material of the preserved sclera was used for the patients with severe eyelid retraction.