Review of functional indications and outcomes for blepharoplasty, blepharoptosis repair

This literature review by the American Academy of Ophthalmology evaluated functional indications and outcomes for blepharoplasty and blepharoptosis repair. The results indicate that surgical repair of blepharoptosis and upper eyelid dermatochalasis significantly improve vision, peripheral vision and activities that affect quality of life.

The authors conducted literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases in July 2008 for articles published in English on surgery to correct upper eyelid ptosis and dermatochalasis for functional indications. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis.

The procedures were functionally beneficial for patients with preoperative findings of: margin reflex distance 1 of 2 mm or less; superior visual field loss of at least 12 degrees or 24 percent; down-gaze ptosis impairing reading and other close-work activities; chin-up backward head tilt due to visual axis obscuration; symptoms of discomfort or eye strain due to droopy lids; and central visual interference due to upper eyelid position or patient self-reported functional impairment.

The authors note that the reviewed literature did not provide strong data on the functional indications for ptosis and blepharoplasty surgery of dermatitis, difficulty wearing a prosthesis in an anophthalmic socket or temporal visual field impairment preventing a driver from meeting licensing standards.