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Ptosis assessment spectacles: a new method of measuring lid position and movement in children
Mona Khandwala1, Sarju Dey, Cassie Harcourt
1Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Kent, United Kingdom.
Insights
Ptosis assessment spectacles offer accurate and reproducible eyelid measurements in children, proving easier to use than traditional rulers. Parents significantly preferred this innovative method for assessing eyelid position and function.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Surgical Planning
Background:
- Accurate assessment of eyelid position and movement is crucial for surgical correction of ptosis.
- Conventional millimeter ruler measurements are the gold standard but challenging in young children.
- Ptosis assessment spectacles with integrated millimeter scales have been developed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of eyelid measurements using novel ptosis assessment spectacles.
- To compare the efficacy of spectacles versus conventional ruler methods in pediatric patients.
- To assess parent and child tolerance and satisfaction with the new assessment tool.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-two children (aged 2-12 years) participated in the study.
- Ophthalmologists performed two sets of measurements: conventional ruler and ptosis spectacles.
- Measurements included palpebral aperture, skin crease, and levator function; parent satisfaction was assessed via a verbal analog scale.
Main Results:
- Both the ruler and spectacles demonstrated clinically acceptable reproducibility for all recorded measurements.
- Parents reported significantly higher satisfaction with the ptosis assessment spectacles compared to the ruler (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Ptosis assessment spectacles provide accuracy comparable to conventional methods.
- The spectacles are user-friendly and well-tolerated by children.
- The study highlights a preferred and effective alternative for pediatric ptosis assessment.
Purpose:
Accurate assessment of eyelid position and movement is vital in planning the surgical correction of ptosis. Conventional measurements taken using a millimeter ruler are considered the gold standard, although in young children this can be a difficult procedure. The authors have designed ptosis assessment spectacles with a measuring millimeter scale marked on the center of the lens to facilitate accurate assessment of eyelid position and function in children. The purpose of the study was to assess the accuracy and reproducibility of eyelid measurement using these ptosis assessment spectacles.
Methods:
Fifty-two children aged 2-12 years were recruited in this study. Each child underwent 2 sets of measurements. The first was undertaken by an ophthalmologist in the conventional manner using a ruler, and the second set made with ptosis assessment spectacles. On each occasion the palpebral aperture, skin crease, and levator function were recorded in millimeters. A verbal analog scale was used to assess parent satisfaction with each method.
Results:
Clinically acceptable reproducibility was shown with the ruler and the spectacles for all measurements: palpebral aperture, skin crease, and levator function. Parents significantly preferred the glasses for measurement, as compared with the ruler (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The spectacles are as accurate as conventional methods of measurement, but are easier to use. Children tolerate these spectacles well, and most parents preferred them to the ruler.