Surgical intervention for paediatric blepharoptosis: a 6-year case series

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Pediatric blepharoptosis, or drooping eyelid, can impair vision and requires surgical correction.
• Levator function and frontalis recruitment guide surgical technique selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for pediatric blepharoptosis.
• To analyze surgical outcomes based on different surgical techniques.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 95 children undergoing blepharoptosis surgery (2010-2016).
• Surgical techniques included levator resection and brow suspension (fascia lata or mersilene mesh) based on levator function.
• Outcomes assessed via margin reflex distance-1 at 6-week and 6-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• 80 children (109 eyes) had adequate follow-up; 51.2% had levator resection, 33.8% fascia lata brow suspension, 15.0% mersilene mesh brow suspension.
• Both levator resection and fascia lata brow suspension showed initial improvement, with a slight lid drop by 6 months.
• Overall complication rate was low, with one case requiring re-operation for residual ptosis.

Conclusions:

• Surgical correction of pediatric blepharoptosis is safe and effective.
• Eyelid height is maintained beyond 6 months post-surgery, with mersilene mesh showing no significant lid drop.
• Orthoptic assessment is crucial for identifying and managing amblyopia risk in pediatric patients.