Epiblepharon Repair
Michelle T. Cabrera, MD
PREOPERATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
In an eye with lower lid epiblepharon, identify whether the patient has been symptomatic from trichiasis. If possible, perform a careful slit lamp examination to identify trichiasis and other signs of corneal issues. Look for punctate epithelial erosions, frank corneal epithelial defects, and/or scarring. Occasionally children will adopt abnormal head postures to keep lashes off the cornea or out of the visual axis (Fig. 36.1). Ageappropriate visual acuity assessment and refraction are also critical to understanding the clinical impact, while ensuring that appropriate refractive and amblyopic treatments are pursued.
Indications for Surgery
Epiblepharon (overriding orbicularis but not entropion) with significant trichiasis identified on slit lamp examination or careful penlight examination plus any of the following:
Symptoms of:
Eye redness.
Tearing.
Eye rubbing.
Pain and/or foreign body sensation.
Recurrent corneal erosion.
Corneal scarring.
Associated significant refractive error: induced astigmatism and/or anisometropia.
Associated induced amblyopia.
Associated abnormal head postures (occasional):
Head turn away affected side in unilateral cases (keeps medial lashes off the cornea).
Chin down in bilateral cases (Fig. 36.1).
Conservative Therapy for Patients Who Do Not Require Surgery
Most children tolerate epiblepharon with trichiasis quite well and do not require surgery.1 These patients may benefit from conservative measures:
Prescribe topical artificial tears if visible punctate epithelial erosions.
Provide clinical follow-up including age-appropriate visual acuity and refraction assessment.
Advise families/patient regarding warning signs to seek treatment (symptoms and signs of corneal erosion).
Advise families that many young children, particularly infants, may grow out of this condition.
Advise families/patient that surgery may be necessary in the future.
Older symptomatic children and adults may tolerate mechanical epilation with forceps; however, lashes grow back in 3-6 weeks and can be more irritating than mature lashes.