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Functional indications for enophthalmos repair.
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|August 5, 1999
Summary
Orbital augmentation can correct functional deficits like diplopia and eyelid issues caused by enophthalmos (sunken eyes). Restoring orbital anatomy improved symptoms in patients, avoiding further eye surgeries.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Enophthalmos, or sunken eyes, is typically treated for aesthetic concerns.
- However, functional deficits can also accompany enophthalmos, necessitating surgical intervention.
Observation:
- This study reviewed patients with enophthalmos to identify those with non-aesthetic functional deficits.
- Six patients presented with functional issues including gaze-evoked diplopia, eyelid retraction, lagophthalmos, and exposure keratitis.
Findings:
- These functional deficits stemmed from traumatic (orbital fractures) or non-traumatic (sinus disease, orbital soft tissue atrophy) enophthalmos.
- Orbital augmentation successfully resolved symptoms in three patients.
Implications:
- Globe malposition in enophthalmos can lead to functional problems by affecting eyelid mechanics and extraocular muscle alignment.
- Orbital augmentation can restore native anatomy, reversing eyelid malposition, ocular surface exposure, and diplopia, potentially avoiding additional eyelid or strabismus surgery.