Eyelid grafting as a preprosthetic measure for restoring facial defects

Prosthetic restoration of a facial defect involving the loss of an eye and associated orbital tissues may be restricted by incorrect orientation of the prosthesis if the reconstructed tissue bed is uniform and without distinctive orbital landmarks. A surgically grafted eyelid is useful in this situation. The lower eyelid graft serves to provide an anatomical guide with which to position the ocular component of the orbital prosthesis in relation to its established visual axis. This assists the subsequent orientation of the adjoining tissue portion of the orbital prosthesis, contributing to a well-positioned and cosmetically pleasing result.