Treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos by loading the lid with a gold plate and lateral canthopexy.

Various methods of managing patients with lagophthalmos secondary to paralysis of the facial nerve have been reported. While addition of a gold plate facilitates displacement of the upper eyelid downwards, coaptation of the lid margin is often incomplete because of coexisting ectropion of the lower lid. The outcome obtainable from loading the lid with a gold plate alone is often unsatisfactory. To manage the deformity by combining the loading of the lid with gold plate and lateral canthopexy is technically simple. Morbidity is minimal as it can be done under local anaesthesia. Adequacy of coaption of the palpebral margin could be assessed immediately. We have managed a total of seven (mainly elderly) such patients between 1999 and 2000 in our hospitals. The outcome was generally satisfactory and there were no complications.