Eyelid malpositions after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence and the factors that may play a role in the etiology of eyelid malpositions after cataract extraction.

METHODS

We followed up 124 patients for six months after cataract extraction. Palpebral aperture, levator function, height of the upper lid crease, lower eyelid laxity and position of the punctums were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Post-cataract ptosis was defined as a 2 mm or greater drop in the lid margin after correcting for any change in the fellow eye.

RESULTS

None of the patients developed ectropion or entropion, but five (4%) developed punctal ectropion after surgery. The incidence of post-cataract ptosis was 7.3% at six months. Age, sex, preoperative measurements of levator function, lid crease and dermatochalasis were not predictive for the development of ptosis at six months. However, there was a significant difference in the preoperative palpebral fissure width between the patients with ptosis and those without (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the mean volume of local anesthetic and the degree of ptosis on the first postoperative day (p<0.05, r: 0.1873). The presence and amount of ptosis on the first postoperative day was the best predictor of post-cataract ptosis at six months (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors are involved in the development of post-cataract ptosis. Temporary ptosis may be related to the myotoxicity of the local anesthetic. The presence of ptosis on the first postoperative day is the best predictor for the development of ptosis at six months.