Surgical management of ptosis in chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jul;31(4):2064-2068. doi: 10.1177/1120672120952344. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

Abstract

Purpose: To determine possible complications and efficacy of ptosis surgery in a series of chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) patients with healthy tear film.

Method: It is a prospective interventional study on 24 eyes from 12 patients with the diagnosis of CPEO and ptosis. Pre-operatively, tear breakup test (TBUT) and Schirmer test were performed to assess lacrimal function unit. Levator resection was performed for 16 eyes with levator function (LF) more than 4 mm, while eight eyes from four patients with poorer LF underwent frontalis silicone sling surgery. Main outcome measures included change in marginal-to-reflex distance (MRD1) and incidence of post-operative exposure keratopathy.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 45 ± 15 years. The mean of TBUT and Schirmer test were 12 ± 1.98 s and 15 ± 2.76 mm, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 34 months. Four eyes encountered mild to moderate exposure keratopathy. All cases were managed medically, with no need for surgical revision. The mean pre-operative MRD1, LF, and chin-up angle were -0.54 ± 1.03 mm, 4.21 ± 1.41 mm, and 21.6 ± 6.01 degrees, respectively. The mean post-operative MRD1, LF, and chin-up angle were 2.42 ± 0.60, 4.46 ± 1.53 mm, and 3.3 ± 1.01 degrees, respectively. At 1-year follow-up visit, improvement in MRD1 and chin-up posture was statistically significant (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusion: Normal TBUT and Schirmer test results, prophylactic lubricating therapy, and close follow-up can be as important as Bell's phenomenon and palpebral fissure height in predicting post-operative complications.

Keywords: CPEO; frontalis sling; levator resection; progressive ophthamoplegia; ptosis; silicone rod.

MeSH terms

  • Blepharoptosis* / surgery
  • Eyelids
  • Humans
  • Oculomotor Muscles / surgery
  • Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome