The Effect of Palpebral Spring in Lagophthalmos caused by Nerve Palsy.

Byon, Doseok; Lee, Do Hyung; Yoon, Gi Seok; Shyn, Kyung Hwan

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1996;37(3):421-426.
Published online March 1, 1996.

The Effect of Palpebral Spring in Lagophthalmos caused by Nerve Palsy.

Doseok Byon, Do Hyung Lee, Gi Seok Yoon, Kyung Hwan Shyn

¹Department of Ophthalmology School of Medicine, Chung-Ang, University, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Ophthalmology School of Medicine, Inha University, In Chun, Korea.
³Department of Ophthalmology, Korea Veterans Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

안면 신경 마비로 인한 토안에서 안검 스프링의 효과

변도석(Do Seok Byon),이도형(Do Hyung Lee),윤기석(Gi Seok Yoon),신경환(Kyung Hwan Shyn)

Abstract

Facial palsy produces asymmetry of the face and lagophthalmos, incomplete eyelid closure. Exposure keratitis and eyeball pain can be induced by prolonged lagophthalmos, and the vision can be treatened at last. Therefore, the correc tion of lagophthalmos is important to preserve the proper visual function. Tarsorrhaphy has been the classic method of providing corneal protection in lagophthalmos caused by facial nerve palsy, but it produces a cosmetic problem and limits vision, so it should be reserved only to comatous patients. Since Morel-Fatio and Lalardrie implanted a palpebral spring in 1964 first time, several modifications have been reported to maximize the effect of spring in lagophthalmos. The authors experienced the dynamic eyelid animation with papebral spring, custom-made by authors with orthodontic wire in four patients who sufferd from exposed keratitis and eyeball pain due to lagophthalmos, which were intractable to medical therapy. Eyeball pain and keratitis were completely subsided in all patients with good lid closure. One patient was removed the palpebral spring due to recovery of facial nerve function at postoperative 6 months, other three patinets are well with implanted pa.lpebral spring.

Key Words: Lagophthalmos;Facial nerve palsy;Palpebral spring;Tarsorrhaphy;Eyelid animation