Lidloading and intraocular pressure

Background: Implantation of rigid gold or platinum lid weights (lidloading) represents the most common method for therapy of patients with lagophthalmus as a result of facial palsy. In a more recent approach also flexible platinum chains have been used. Glaucoma has frequently been described as a contraindication for lidloading. The aim of this study was to proof if lid weights lead to an increase of the intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients and methods: In a prospective study the IOP has been measured before and after implantation of 46 rigid gold implants and 39 flexible platinum chains in patients with paralytic lagophthalmos. Results: Neither the implantation of rigid gold implants nor the use of the flexible platinum chain lead to a statistically significant change of the IOP. There was also no difference between the two groups. Conclusion: With this study we could demonstrate that glaucoma is not an absolute contraindication for the use of lid weights in patients with paralytic lagophthalmos. Moreover a lid weight is easily removable if complications should occur.