Decrease in levator function in the anophthalmic orbit.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been argued that levator function in anophthalmic patients is reduced, but no detailed report on this topic has been issued. This study was undertaken to investigate measured levator function in anophthalmic patients, and to determine how measured values are related to prosthesis size.

METHODS

Unilateral anophthalmic patients with no significant ptosis, and no history of trauma or surgery to orbit or eyelid were recruited. Levator function was measured with patients wearing their prosthesis, test prosthesis of different heights, and no prosthesis.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were recruited. Levator function was found to be lower in anophthalmic orbits (10.43 +/- 1.48 mm) than in contralateral normal orbits (12.74 +/- 1.81 mm). Levator function was lower in anophthalmic orbits with any height or type of prosthesis than in contralateral normal orbits (paired t-test, p < 0.05). In the anophthalmic orbits, the levator functions were highest when patients wore a prosthesis of the proper height, and these functions reduced as the prostheses height reduced (linear regression, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Diminished levator function in an anophthalmic orbit doesn't necessarily mean that levator muscle function is abnormal. When levator function is measured in an anophthalmic orbit, the fact that it is often underestimated should be taken into account.