Comparison of Palpebral Fissure Height According to Horizontal

ABSTRACT

We compared palpebral fissure height according to horizontal fixation direction in normal subjects, strabismic patients[exotropia, esotropia, abducens nerve palsy], and patients with Duane's retraction syndrome. We respectively measured the palpebral fissure height of 39 normal subjects [78 eyes], 37 exotropia patients[74 eyes], 17 esotropia patients[34 eyes], 6 patients of abducens nerve palsy[6 eyes], and 8 patients with Duane's retraction syndrome[12 eye]. Measurements were obtained from standardized photographs in primary position, 30-degree adduction and abduction and maximum adduction and abduction of both eyes. The palpebral fissure height of normal subjects and exotropia patients was maximal in primary position and minimal in maximum adduction and abduction. On the other side, the palpebral fissure height of esotropia patients was maximal in 30 degree abduction. On the base of the height in primary position, the fissure height of normal subjects was 90%in maximum abduction and 89%in maximum adduction. But the fissure height of Duane's retraction syndrome was 103%in maximum abduction and 69%in maximum adduction. In normal group and exotropia, the fissure narrowed according to the degree of adduction and abduction, and in esotropia and abducens nerve palsy, the palpebral fissure of abducting eye was wider than that of primary position. In Duane's retraction syndrome the palpebral fissure of adducting eye markedly narrowed and the difference between the fissure height in maximum adduction and maximum abduction made diagnostic value in comparison to normal group.