Long-term recurrence of eyelid retraction after surgical correction more common in upper eyelid

In this retrospective review, 60 patients (133 eyelids) who underwent eyelid-lengthening procedures for the correction of thyroid eye disease-associated upper and lower eyelid retraction and were followed for ≥24 weeks, were included.

Lower eyelid retraction repair with autologous tarsal graft provide excellent surgical results with no patients experiencing recurrence of retraction in the lower eyelids.

In upper eyelids, 34.6% of cases experienced recurrence of retraction resulting in subsequent revision. Retraction recurrence was linked to tarsorrhaphy and tarsal graft harvest. Retraction occurred on an average of 6 months after the initial surgery. The final upper eyelid position after multiple surgeries was similar to single procedure positions.

Reference

North VS, et al. Long-term recurrence of eyelid retraction after surgical correction in patients with thyroid eye disease. Presented at: 2020 ASOPRS Virtual Meeting.