Clinical Report: Clinician Feedback on the Magnetic Levator Prosthesis

Stakeholder engagement has been identified by national health organizations as a crucial step to successful translation of new health care treatments. In this clinical report, clinician-stakeholder feedback is presented for the magnetic levator prosthesis (MLP), a promising noninvasive spectacle device that restores eyelid motility with magnetic force.

This study aimed to evaluate MLP clinical need and translational barriers.

Ten vision rehabilitation optometrists who attended an educational presentation on the MLP and participated in a hands-on workshop in the fitting of a patient were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. Ten multiple-choice items gathered data on estimated patient need, current approaches, main barriers to MLP, temporary versus chronic use, cost barriers, and need for insurance coverage. Open fields allowed for additional comments.

Nine of 10 specialists completed the survey. Of those, seven answered that they could potentially see at least 1 to 5 patients for ptosis management within a year. The most common ptosis management options reported were the ptosis crutch, taping the eyelid open, and oxymetazoline drops, all with six responses each. Seven clinicians indicated that cost was a main concern. If cost to patient was not a barrier, all indicated they would be at least somewhat likely to try the MLP (1) for temporary management of ptosis, (2) as a pre-surgical trial, and (3) for long-term management of ptosis, with more selecting extremely likely and very likely than somewhat likely. Main comments were expressing enthusiasm for the technology and that it would be more appealing for patients if covered by insurance.

This clinical report suggests that the main barriers to clinical success of the MLP may be cost and insurance coverage, appearance of the device, and self-application. Possible solutions are cost-benefit analysis research, engineering efforts to reduce spectacle magnet size and improve the ease of eyelid magnet application.