Tarsal strip procedure for correction of eyelid laxity and canthal malposition in the anophthalmic socket.

Surgically anophthalmic sockets commonly have laxity of the lower eyelid, inferior displacement of the lower eyelid and lateral canthus, shallowing of the inferior fornix, and a deep superior sulcus. These deformities result in difficulty in prosthesis retention, pooling of tears and mucus, epiphora and lower eyelid irritation, and poor cosmesis with an appearance of facial asymmetry. The causes of these problems are numerous, but the main anatomic deformity is a marked laxity and elongation of the lateral canthal tendon. The tarsal strip procedure is ideal for correcting or improving these deformities simultaneously with one simple procedure. We are very pleased with our results in 26 patients with surgically anophthalmic sockets in which this procedure was utilized. We highly recommend the tarsal strip procedure not only to correct these conditions in anophthalmic sockets but in almost any condition where laxity of the eyelids or canthal malposition requires surgical correction.