Effectiveness of Blepharoptosis Surgery in Patients With Deepening of the Upper Eyelid Sulcus

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of blepharoptosis surgery in patients with deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus (DUES). This case series included 10 consecutive patients (19 eyes) with DUES associated with use of a prostaglandin analog for glaucoma. Patients who had used bimatoprost and developed DUES were changed to an alternative prostaglandin analog and observed for >= 3 months. If there was no improvement, they underwent levator resection for blepharoptosis and were followed up for >= 6 months postoperatively. Improvement in margin reflex distance-1 and surgical complications was evaluated. After discontinuation of bimatoprost in 3 cases (6 eyes), mild subjective and objective improvement in DUES was seen in 2 cases (4 eyes) but without improvement in blepharoptosis. The prostaglandin analog used before surgery was travoprost in 4 eyes (21.0%), tafluprost in 7 eyes (36.9%; including 4 eyes switched from bimatoprost), and latanoprost in 8 eyes (42.1%; including 2 eyes switched from bimatoprost). The mean margin reflex distance-1 value was 1.11 +/- 0.96 mm before surgery and 3.72 +/- 0.81 mm at the final postoperative follow-up; the difference was significant (P = 3.32 x -10). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Levator resection is a useful and safe procedure for blepharoptosis with DUES.