Korean J Ophthalmol.  2010 Feb;24(1):4-9. 10.3341/kjo.2010.24.1.4.

Lower Eyelid Epiblepharon Associated with Lower Eyelid Retraction

• Sung MS
• Lee MJ
• Choung HK
• Kim NJ
• Khwarg SI

• KMID: 1098786
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2010.24.1.4

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe a series of patients with lower eyelid epiblepharon associated with lower eyelid retraction.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent surgery for lower eyelid retraction, epiblepharon, or thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) between October 1999 and March 2007. Patients with both lower eyelid retraction and epiblepharon on preoperative examination were included in this study.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven eyelids of 20 patients with both lower eyelid retraction and epiblepharon were enrolled. The underlying causes of lower eyelid retraction included congenital retraction (seven eyelids), congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM; seven eyelids), TAO (seven eyelids), post-operative cicatricial retraction (five eyelids), and facial nerve palsy (one eyelid). Eight of 27 eyelids were successfully corrected after the repair of retraction without the repair of epiblepharon, regardless of the cause of lower eyelid retraction. Another four eyelids with epiblepharon associated with TAO resolved after only orbital decompression. Cilia-everting sutures were additionally applied for epiblepharon in another 14 eyelids, 12 of which did not require the excision of a skin fold or the orbicularis muscles. Only one eyelid with mild retraction and epiblepharon underwent simple epiblepharon repair. Recurrence of retraction or epiblepharon developed in three eyelids during follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
In cases with both lower eyelid retraction and epiblepharon, the retraction should be repaired first, and then the epiblepharon can be corrected selectively according to the severity of the case.

Keyword

Congenital fibrosis syndrome of the extraocular muscles; Congenital retraction; Epiblepharon; Lower eyelid retraction; Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Child, Preschool
Eye Abnormalities/*complications/surgery
Eyelid Diseases/*complications/surgery
Eyelids/*abnormalities/surgery
Graves Ophthalmopathy/surgery
Humans
Middle Aged
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures/*methods
Retrospective Studies
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Congenital lower eyelid retraction and epiblepharon. (A) Lower eyelid retraction and epiblepharon were observed in the preoperative photograph of a nine-yr-old boy. (B) Bilateral autogenous ear cartilage grafting and cilia-everting suturing were performed. After one month, the retraction and epiblepharon were resolved. (C) An eight-yr-old girl had unilateral retraction in the right lower eyelid and bilateral epiblepharon. (D) She underwent autogenous ear cartilage grafting in her right lower eyelid. Epiblepharon repair was performed on both eyelids during the operation. The postoperative results were good.

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  Fig. 2 Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles. (A) A five-yr-old boy had lower eyelid retraction and epiblepharon, hypotropia and exotropia, and blepharoptosis in the left eyelid. He first underwent lower eyelid retraction repair using an autogenous ear cartilage graft. The surgeon then concluded that epiblepharon procedures were necessary. Cilia-everting tarsal fixation sutures were placed. (B) Epiblepharon recurred at four months postoperatively, although the lower eyelid was well positioned. (C) The patient underwent repeat epiblepharon repair on his left eyelid, including skin and orbicularis muscle excision. The photograph, taken only one week post-operatively, noted well-everted cilia and a prominent incision line along the lower eyelid margin. However, the line faded during follow-up.

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  Fig. 3 Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). The patient complained of a proptotic and surprised look, although her hyperthyroidism was well controlled. (A) She was noted to have proptosis and lower eyelid retractions with epiblepharon. (B) Orbital decompression was performed in order to improve her appearance, and the outcome was good. There were no complications during eight months of follow-up.

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