Effect of autologous fat injection on lower eyelid position.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of autologous periorbital fat injections on lower eyelid position. Retrospective review of patients treated with autologous periorbital (malar/eyelid tear trough) fat injections for aesthetic purposes by a single surgeon (S.N.) between March 2007 and June 2011. The primary outcome, lower eyelid position as defined by marginal reflex distance 2 and inferior scleral show, was measured by standardizing and comparing pretreatment and posttreatment follow-up digital photos. Photographs were randomized and measured by 2 masked investigators. Seventy patients (5 male; mean age, 53; range, 33 to 77 years) were treated with autologous fat injections to the malar and lower eyelid tear trough for aesthetic purposes. A mean decrease in marginal reflex distance 2 of 0.5 mm in both OS and OD was found when pre- and posttreatment measurements were compared. Primary and secondary mean follow-up period was at 117 and 316 days, respectively. The effect of the autologous periorbital fat injection was not diminished (n=21) between follow-up periods. A mean change in scleral show of 0.5 mm was found when pre- and posttreatment measurements were compared. The overall mean follow-up period for scleral show was 125 days. Minor complications occurred in 7% (n=5) of patients who had postinjection subcutaneous induration. Autologous fat injections are well tolerated and have potential to be an effective adjuvant or primary treatment for mild lower eyelid retraction.