Predictability of the Phenylephrine Test in Congenital Ptosis: Ten Years of Experience

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 Sep-Oct;39(5):465-469. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002365. Epub 2023 Mar 9.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the predictability of phenylephrine testing for congenital ptosis and review outcomes of Müller's Muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) for congenital ptosis across ten years of follow-up.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, all patients who underwent MMCR for congenital ptosis at a single institution between 2010 and 2020 were identified. Exclusion criteria included patients who had not undergone preoperative testing with 2.5% phenylephrine in the superior fornix; patients who underwent revision surgery; and patients who had a broken suture in the early postoperative period. Demographics, margin-reflex distance 1 (MRD1) values pre- and postphenylephrine, millimeters of tissue resected intraoperatively, and final postoperative MRD1 were recorded.

Results: A total of 28 patients were included; 19 patients received MMCR and 9 patients received a combined MMCR plus tarsectomy. The amount of tissue resected ranged from 5 to 11 mm. There was no significant difference between median postphenylephrine MRD1 and median final postoperative MRD1 in either surgical group. Neither patient age nor levator function was significantly associated with a change in MRD1 in either group. The addition of a tarsectomy had no bearing on the final MRD1 value.

Conclusions: MMCR is a viable option for patients with congenital ptosis and moderate levator function with a response to phenylephrine. In these patients, MRD1 after 2.5% phenylephrine testing correlates to the final postoperative MRD1 outcome within 0.5 mm.

MeSH terms

  • Blepharoplasty*
  • Blepharoptosis* / diagnosis
  • Blepharoptosis* / surgery
  • Eyelids / surgery
  • Humans
  • Oculomotor Muscles / surgery
  • Phenylephrine
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Phenylephrine