Investigating the impact of unilateral lateral tarsal strip on palpebral fissure sizes

Theme: Oculoplastic & reconstructive surgery
What: Oculoplastic & reconstructive surgery
Part of: Oculoplastics II: Cutting edge research in oculoplastics! / Oculoplastie II: Recherche de pointe en oculoplastie!
When: 5/31/2024, 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Where: Room | Salle 714 A

Abstract

Purpose:

The lateral tarsal strip (LTS) is a common oculoplastic procedure performed to tighten the lower eyelids. While the tightening effect of the LTS is evident, it is unclear as to whether it results in the shortening of the horizontal palpebral fissure (HPF). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the LTS on the HPF, using the fellow (unoperated eye) as a reference point.

Study Design: Single-center prospective study.

Methods:

Patients 18 years or older with a unilateral LTS procedure performed between April 2019 - April 2020 at a tertiary Canadian center and with at least 12 months follow-up were recruited. Patients with current or previous history of facial or eyelid disease, facial trauma, facial nerve palsy, and previous lacrimal or orbital surgery were excluded. Primary outcome measure was the difference in HPF width between the unoperated eye and the operated eye at least one year after surgery as measured during the study visit, both physically with a millimeter ruler as well as in a computerized fashion. Secondary outcome measures included vertical palpebral fissure (VPF) widths, correlation between physical and computerized measurements, and patient’s perceived difference in palpebral fissure measurements.

Results:

The eyes of 14 patients who had unilateral LTS were evaluated (69.2% male, 30.7% female). Mean patient age was 82.1 years (range 72-99). Mean follow-up duration was 23.4 months (range 12-33 months). The indication for LTS was entropion in 11 patients and ectropion in 3 patients. The average width of the HPF of the operated eye was 25.3 mm, and the unoperated eye 25.7 mm, with a mean difference of 0.4 mm (p = 0.11). The average width of the VPF of the operated eye was 8.0 mm, and the unoperated eye 8.2 mm, with a mean difference of 0.2 mm (p=0.34). Only 1 patient perceived a difference in the HPF between their operated and unoperated eyes.

Conclusions:

There was no significant difference in HPF and VPF measurements between the operated and unoperated eyes post LTS surgery after a minimum of one year of follow-up. Patients are less likely to perceive a difference in palpebral fissure sizes following LTS procedure.

Presenter(s)

Presenting Author: Khaldon Abbas

Additional Author(s):

Husayn Gulamhusein, Division of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

John Harvey, Division of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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