Upper eyelid levator-recession and anterior lamella repositioning through the grey-line: Avoiding a skin-crease incision

PURPOSE: This study aims to report a case series of upper eyelid cicatricial margin entropion with retraction, corrected through a grey-line approach only. We remind readers of the grey-line approach to levator recession (LR) and lamellar repositioning surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinic notes and photographs of patients who underwent grey-line split (GLS), LR, release of orbital septum, recession of levator, advancement of posterior lamella and anterior lamellar repositioning without a skin crease incision, from December 2015 to December 2016. Indications for surgery included mild-to-moderate cicatricial margin upper eyelid entropion, tarsal curling, and meibomian gland inversion. Patients requiring spacer interposition to lengthen the posterior lamella were excluded from the study. Parameters of the study included lid margin position, lid height, ocular surface health and symptom improvement. RESULTS: Eleven eyelids of eight patients were included in the study, and underwent the procedure described. Lid margin position measured as the marginal reflex distance lowered (improved) in 72.7% of patients. Lid margin eversion was achieved in all eyes (100%). Corneal punctate epithelial erosions markedly improved, being present in 72.7% of patients preoperatively, and only 9.1% of patients postoperatively. Eight of eleven eyes showed symptomatic improvement, with six (54.5%) being completely asymptomatic and two achieving partial relief. An added observation was a pretarsal show asymmetry in some patients which improved in 36.4% of surgeries postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Upper eyelid LR with GLS and anterior lamella repositioning can all be performed through the plane of the split, avoiding a skin incision. Normal lid margin apposition was achieved in all eyes with 91% demonstrating a clear cornea and 72% having symptomatic improvement.