Effects of Upper Eyelid Surgery on the Ocular Surface and Corneal Topography

To evaluate the effect of upper eyelid surgery on ocular surface and corneal topography.

Patients who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty and/or blepharoptosis repair were evaluated prospectively. Tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer tests, corneal staining pattern, Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, corneal topography, and autorefractor parameters were measured preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively.

Thirty-two eyes of 20 patients (9 male, 11 female) were included in the study. The mean age was 44.8±18.9 years (range: 8-74). Patients were divided into the following 3 groups according to the type of surgery performed: upper eyelid blepharoplasty (group 1), upper eyelid blepharoplasty and levator advancement ptosis surgery (group 2), and levator advancement ptosis surgery (group 3). There was a significant decrease in Schirmer test results at 6 months in groups 1 and 2 but no change in group 3. TBUT values were decreased at 1 week in group 3 (p=0.028) and returned to baseline at 1 month. Corneal punctate staining was detected at 1 day and 1 week in all groups. On corneal topography, group 3 showed a significant change in K2 values (0.3 diopters) at 1 month (p=0.006). There was no statistically significant change in autorefractor measurements postoperatively compared to preoperative values (p>0.05).

Depending on the type of surgical procedure performed, blepharoptosis repair and upper eyelid blepharoplasty can lead to dry eye of varying severity that may persist at postoperative 6 months.