[Five years experience with lid magnet implantation for paretic lagophthalmos (author's transl)]

Five years' experience with the implantation of permanent magnets in the eye lids for reconstruction of dynamic lid closure for paretic lagophthalmos is presented. The patients followed up were 114 in number with unilateral and three with bilateral lagophthalmos due to complete facial palsy. In the majority of cases satisfactory to good eyelid function with complete protection for the eye could be obtained. In 15 cases rejection occurred usually because of deficient implantation technique. On the basis of these experiences we conclude that a good indication for lid magnet implantation is present for reversible facialis paralysis for a continuous solution, and also as a complement to other operative procedures which alone do not result in complete eyelid closure. Facial paralysis of long duration with atrophy of the lid structures and retraction or spasticity of the levator musculature is a relative contraindication.