Impact of Single Eyelid on Superior Visual Field

Abstract

A puffy eyelid without a crease, also known as single eyelid, is a common characteristic in East Asians. Existence of a lid crease is generally considered an aesthetic concern for both patients and surgeons, and postoperative evaluations have mainly focused on the appearance of the eye. The aim of this study was to clarify the functionality of the superior visual field (SVF) with single eyelid.

This prospective cohort study compared edge of the upper eyelid to central corneal light reflex distance (edge reflex distance [ERD]) preoperatively and postoperatively and examined the SVF, as measured by Goldmann perimetry, in single-eyelid patients who underwent blepharoplasty.

Twenty patients (40 eyelids) with a median age of 21 years were examined. The median preoperative and postoperative ERDs were 1.45 and 3.4 mm, respectively. The median areas of the SVF preoperatively and postoperatively were 34,443 and 50,796 degrees ², respectively. Although a positive correlation existed between preoperative ERD and SVF, no correlation was observed between postoperative ERD and SVF.

The SVF of the single eyelid is narrower than that of the double eyelid, even under circumstances of equivalent palpebral fissure height. The single eyelid commonly found in East Asian populations is associated with both cosmetic and functional issues.