Levator aponeurosis tuck: a treatment for ptosis.

Seven patients with acquired ptosis were treated with a tuck in the aponeurosis of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. Although the etiology for the ptosis was not always clear, associated conditions included progressive external ophthalmoplegia, prior ocular irradiation, prior ocular surgery and enucleation. One patient with progressive external ophthalmoplegia had good functional results. All of the other patients had good cosmetic, as well as good functional results. Since local infiltrative anesthesia was used, patients were able to cooperate during surgery by elevating and lowering their eyelids. The amount of tuck necessary to sufficiently elevate the eyelid could therefore be determined at surgery. The amount of lid elevation attained at surgery closely resembled the final postoperative result.