Superior oblique tendon damage resulting from eyelid surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence of superior oblique (SO) tendon damage resulting from upper eyelid surgery and to explain its cause and treatment.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

An institution-based retrospective observational case series of seven patients in whom damage to the SO tendon secondary to eyelid surgery developed.

RESULTS

In four of the patients, ipsilateral SO palsy developed, and three patients, a Brown syndrome pattern developed. The causative eyelid procedures consisted of surgery to correct ptosis in four patients, tumor removal in two patients, and cosmetic blepharoplasty in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The SO tendon may be damaged as a result of eyelid surgery. The anatomy of the SO tendon should be kept in mind while performing surgery in the superomedial aspect of the upper eyelid.