The Tie Retraction Syndrome

Abstract

Tissue retraction is implicated in the pathogenesis of various ophthalmic disorders. Here we describe the clinical characteristics, epidemiology and pathophysiology of a form of retraction syndrome which – to the best of our knowledge - has not been reported in the ophthalmic literature so far. We have termed this condition - consisting of a slowly progressive pseudovertical shortening of tie length due to a horizontal extension of girth length - the “Tie retraction syndrome” (TRS). Other pathognomonic features include an increased tie tip to belt buckle distance and a prolapse of the subumbilical fat pad (SUFP). The syndrome has a clear male to female preponderance and shows an increasing incidence with age and income before tax. Based on a newly proposed grading scheme we discuss and illustrate the diagnosis as well as the medical and surgical management options of this abundant, but often undiagnosed condition. The authors have no explanation for the apparent lack of awareness for this widely preponderant syndrome and its severe cosmetically disfiguring potential. We thus would like to invite all fellow colleagues with expertise in the field to comment or present their views.

KEYWORDS::

• Tie
• Retraction syndrome
• Pathophysiology
• Girth length
• Diagnosis
• Management

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank all middle-aged male colleagues for their kind cooperation throughout this project. This work was in part funded by the European Society for Circumferentially Challenged Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons (ESCCORPS). The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funding bodies executives.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Theauthors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.