Efficacy of Minor Lateral Tarsorrhaphy in Conjunction with Levator Muscle Recession in Improvement of Superior Lid Retraction of Thyroid Ophthalmopathic Patients

Aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of minor lateral tarsorrhaphy in conjunction with levator muscle recession in thyroid ophthalmopathic patients with severe lid retraction in order to correct the temporal flare in these patients

In a before-after clinical trial study, 22 eyelids of 12 patients with severe lid retraction underwent surgery by this method and the lid height in a 6 months follow up was evaluated. Lid height before and after operation were measured on basis of Margin Reflex distance (MRD1) and recorded in a special form for analysis. All of these patients were in the silent phase of disease and if a strabismus or orbital surgery was indicated, it was performed before the study.

After a six months follow-up, mean MRD1 decreased in the right eye from 7.76±0.55 to 4.86±0.32 mm and in the left eye from 7.81±0.64 to 4.75±0.35mm (p<0.0001). In all patients, satisfactory response was achieved and corneal surface discomfort was relieved. No serious complication was seen.

Minor lateral tarsorrhaphy in conjunction with levator recession procedure in thyroid ophthalmic patients can have satisfactory results and result in correction of temporal flare.