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Difficulties with hydroxyapatite orbital implants in two patients with dysfunctional levator/superior rectus muscle
1Department of Ophthalmology, Anheuser-Busch Eye Institute, St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, Missouri, USA.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 16, 1998
Summary
Hydroxyapatite orbital implants can cause complications in anophthalmos patients with weak eye muscles. Anterior rotation of these implants may lead to proptosis and impede prosthetic fitting, requiring surgical revision.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Hydroxyapatite orbital implants are commonly used for anophthalmos, with generally few reported complications.
- This study examines a specific complication in patients with compromised ocular motility.
Observation:
- Two patients with acquired anophthalmos and nonfunctional superior rectus muscles received hydroxyapatite orbital implants.
- Both patients experienced anterior implant rotation, leading to superior fornix obliteration and proptosis.
Findings:
- Anterior migration of hydroxyapatite implants can occur in the presence of a nonfunctional superior rectus muscle.
- This migration distorts the conjunctival fornices and causes proptosis, hindering prosthetic eye fitting.
Implications:
- The findings question the use of muscle-attached orbital implants in patients with significant superior rectus muscle weakness.
- Further research is needed to evaluate implant stability and patient selection criteria in complex anophthalmic cases.