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Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the practices employed by oculoplastic surgeons in the assessment and management of anophthalmic sockets and external ocular prostheses.
METHODS: Oculoplastic surgeons from two countries, who specialized in the management of anophthalmic sockets, participated in a web-based survey. Data collected included demographics, types of surgery, implant use, external ocular prostheses management (including fabrication and cleaning), complications encountered, and follow-up times. The frequencies and distributions of the responses were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS: A total of 177 oculoplastic surgeons participated, 113 (63.8%) from Brazil, the remainder from Spain. Evisceration was the preferred surgical procedure of 149 (84.2%) surgeons. The most commonly reported indication for enucleation was a painful blind eye (n=103, 58.1%; both Brazil and Spain, p<0.001). Brazilian surgeons preferred polymethyl methacrylate implants (n=65, 57.5%), while Spanish surgeons favored porous polyethylene implants (n=53, 82.8%; p<0.001). Discharge was the most frequently observed clinical feature during socket evaluation (n=164, 92.6%; p<0.001). Brazilian surgeons recommended daily (n=53, 46.9%) or weekly (n=41, 36.2%) cleaning of external ocular prostheses, while Spanish surgeons more commonly recommended monthly cleaning (n=31, 48.4%; p<0.001). The majority of Brazilian surgeons (n=83, 73.4%) advised patients to remove their external ocular prostheses at night. Only a small number of Spanish surgeons (n=3, 4.6%) suggested this practice (p<0.001). Overall, the follow-up recommendations varied, with 70 (39.5%) surgeons recommending follow-up based on individual case needs, and 59 (33.3%) suggesting annual visits (p<0.001). The primary indications for external ocular prostheses replacement were edge damage (n=75, 42.3%) and loss of volume (n=68, 38.4%). The replacement intervals given typically ranged from 1 to 5 years (n=92, 51.9%; p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Oculoplastic surgeons in Brazil and Spain demonstrated similar practices in the management of anophthalmic sockets. However, notable differences were observed in the choice of implant materials, cleaning protocols, and recommendations regarding external ocular prostheses removal during sleep.

Keywords: Anophthalmos; Eye, artificial; Polymethyl methacrylate; Polyethylene; Surgeons; Surveys and questionnaires; Brazil; Spain.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To quantitatively compare eyebrow and eyelid positions in anophthalmic sockets reconstructed with conical or spherical orbital implants combined with customized external ocular prostheses.
METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 38 patients with unilateral anophthalmic sockets, of whom 21 received conical implants, and 17 received spherical implants. Eyelid and eyebrow parameters—including margin reflex distance 1 and 2, vertical and horizontal palpebral fissure dimensions, eyebrow-to-upper-eyelid margin distance in primary gaze and infraduction, medial and lateral eyelid angles in primary gaze, and superior eyelid sulcus depth —were quantitatively assessed using standardized digital photographs analyzed with Image J software. The contralateral healthy eye served as the control. Statistical analyses were performed to compare measurements between groups.
RESULTS: In the primary gaze position, conical and spherical implants showed comparable margin-reflex distance1, margin-reflex distance2, vertical palpebral fissure height, eyelid margin position, and medial and lateral eyelid angles. During infraduction, the upper eyelid margin was significantly lower in sockets reconstructed with conical implants. Compared with contralateral normal eyes, anophthalmic sockets exhibited a reduced horizontal palpebral fissure and a deeper superior eyelid sulcus, irrespective of implant shape.
CONCLUSION: Anophthalmic sockets reconstructed with conical or spherical implants demonstrate similar eyebrow and eyelid positioning in primary gaze. However, conical implants are associated with a lower eyelid margin during infraduction. Independent of implant format, anophthalmic sockets show a narrower horizontal palpebral fissure and increased superior sulcus depth compared with normal eyes.

Keywords: Anophthalmos; Prosthesis implantation; Anophthalmic socket; Conical implants; Spherical implants; Orbital implants; Eyelid measurements