Outcomes of Early Correction of Congenital Myogenic Ptosis Using Transconjunctival Levator Plication

INTRODUCTION: Early correction of congenital ptosis may be indicated due to a risk of amblyopia or because of an abnormal head tilt. One of the main problems, of planning ptosis surgery in very young children, is the inability to measure the levator function. AIM: The aim of the article was to analyze the early correction of congenital myogenic ptosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective, interventional, case series study, conducted on 12 eyes of 12 patients with unilateral, mild to moderate, congenital myogenic ptosis. Surgical correction of ptosis was performed by transconjunctival levator muscle plication. Pre- and postoperative measurements of the upper lid margin to central corneal reflex (MRD1) and upper lid skin crease height (UEC) were obtained, as well as the presence or absence of a reaction to topically applied phenylephrine 2.5% solution. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 29.83 months (range 14-45 months). A negative phenylephrine test was noted in only 3 (25%) of cases. Equalization of upper lid height was achieved in 6 (50%), and a hypocorrection of up to 1 mm was noted in 4 (33%) of patients. There was only 1 hypercorrection of 1 mm, noted in the first postoperative month. In one case of hypocorrection of 2 mm, the height of the lid dropped between the 1 and 3 months follow up. Subsequent revision surgery was performed, with a good outcome. With regard to the upper lid skin crease height (UEC), the mean preoperative difference in relation to the contralateral (non-operated) lid, was 2.16 mm, whereas the average postoperative or final difference was 0.41 mm. CONCLUSION: Correction of myogenic ptosis in small children, using transconjunctival levator plication, in whom levator function cannot be measured, may have a satisfactory postoperative outcome.