The Effect of Upper and Lower Lid Blepharoplasty for Patients with Corneal Problems due to Medial Upper and Lower Eyelash

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Epicanthal folds and epiblepharon which often develop in oriental children are congenital anomalies of eyelids. These may need surgical correction because corneal irritation may develop by medial upper and lower eyelash besides cosmetic problems. V-Y plasty and Mustarde's method are standards for correction of epicanthal folds, but not usually performed because of cosmetic scar formation. METHODS: This study included 26 patients, 52 eyes (19 females, 38 eyes; 7 males, 14 eyes) with corneal irritation due to medial upper and lower eyelash. We performed upper and lower lid blepharoplasty simultaneously and analyzed their results and complications through medical records. RESULTS: Epiblepharon associated with epicanthus tarsalis was found in 22 patients, 22 eyes, epicanthus palpebralis in 4 patients, 8 eyes. At the time of surgery mean age was 7 years old (3.7~10.3 years old). During the follow-up more than 6 months, double fold asymmetry was found in 1 patient, double fold loosening in 1 patient, 2 eyes, lower eyelid undercorrection in 2 patients, 3 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that simultaneous upper and lower lid blepharoplasty for patients with corneal problems due to medial upper and lower eyelash is more unsatisfactory in the cosmetic result than standard method, but has advantage of less scarring, and thought to be a good method to relieve corneal irritation.