The diagnosis and management of the superior rectus suspension syndrome

The diagnosis and management of patients having had superior rectus suspension procedures for the correction of blepharoptosis can be quite difficult. Patients who have had these procedures frequently present with a syndrome which included 1) history of an unknown type of ptosis surgery performed at least ten years ago, 2) good eyelid excursion, 3) minimal lid lag associated with marked lagophthalmos, 4) hypotropia, and 5) corneal scarring. One must evert the upper eyelid to demonstrate the pathognomonic adhesion between tarsus and the superior rectus muscle. The correct management of this condition is virtually impossible until the diagnosis is made. To correct the corneal and motility problems that result from superior rectus suspension procedures, the adhesion between the superior rectus muscle and the upper eyelid must be released. It is very easy to overlook this syndrome if one is unaware of its presentation. We present five patients who illustrate the superior rectus suspension syndrome.