Clinical use of ultrasound biomicroscopy in involutional blepharoptosis

Abstract

Involutional ptosis is an acquired disorder which is caused by a defect in the levator aponeurosis. Although the histopathologic changes of the levator aponeurosis are well defined in ptotic eyelids, the status of aponeurosis in ptotic eyelids can only be recognized at surgery.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a high frequency ultrasonography that has the unique ability to image up to 4 mm beneath the surface. The authors applied this technology to ptotic and clinically normal eyelids in order to image the appearance of the levator aponeurosis and its relation with the tarsus. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was also performed postoperatively in order to image aponeurotic re-insertion.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy proved a useful method to image the levator aponeurosis. It is helpful not only in the preoperative evaluation of blepharoptosis but also postoperative demonstration of surgical reinsertion.

Key Words:

• Involutional ptosis
• diagnostic imaging