SURGICALLY INDUCED ASTIGMATISM AFTER UPPER EYELID SURGERY IN ADULT PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: Surgical repositioning of the eyelids may change astigmatism. The change in astigmatism may affect the results of previous refractive procedures. Material and Method: Twenty-eight eyes of 18 patients were included in the study. Interpalpebral fissure height (IPF), margin reflex distance 1 and 2 (MRD 1-2), and levator function (LF) were recorded in all patients preoperatively and at the postoperative third month. Keratometric values were measured by Scheimpflug corneal topography. Surgically induced astigmatism values due to upper eyelid surgery were calculated using a vectorial analysis program. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.46±18.8 years. Blepharoplasty was performed in 11 eyes with dermatochalasis. Levator resection was performed in nine of 11 eyes with ptosis, and frontalis suspension was performed in the remaining two eyes with ptosis. Blepharoplasty with levator resection was performed in six eyes where ptosis coexists with dermatochalasis. There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative keratometric and LF values. However, there was a significant increase in IPF and MRD 1 values. Mean surgically induced astigmatism was 0.54±0.22 D. Conclusion: Upper eyelid surgery can induce astigmatism. Therefore, it might be better to perform upper eyelid surgery before refractive procedures.