Primary infratarsal lower eyelid retractor lysis to prevent eyelid retraction after inferior rectus muscle recession.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a procedure to prevent lower eyelid retraction, which may occur after inferior rectus muscle recession surgery as a direct consequence of the intimate anatomic connections between the inferior rectus muscle and lower eyelid retractors.

METHODS

We evaluated the technique of primary infratarsal lower eyelid retractor lysis on 12 eyelids of ten patients undergoing inferior rectus muscle recession of 3 mm or more. Indications for surgery included restrictive strabismus related to Graves' ophthalmopathy, orbital blowout fracture, and orbital fibrosis syndrome.

RESULTS

For the 12 eyes, inferior rectus muscle recession ranged from 3 to 10 mm (mean, 5.3 mm). Postoperatively there was no significant change in mean lower eyelid position (P > .82), and no patient developed inferior scleral show.

CONCLUSION

Primary infratarsal eyelid retractor lysis is an effective technique for preventing lower eyelid retraction after inferior rectus muscle recession strabismus surgery.