Changes in Direction of Eyelashes After Epiblepharon Surgery Using the Hotz Procedure

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the change of direction of eyelashes after epiblepharon surgery using the Hotz procedure and to propose the appropriate correction amount to reduce the risk of undercorrection or overcorrection. Methods: Surgical correction using the Hotz procedure was performed in 60 patients who then were followed for 3 months in Korea University Anam Hospital. Clinical photographs were collected before and after the correction to measure the angle of the lower eyelashes. Result: The average angle before and after correction was 38.5 degrees and -24.1 degrees, respectively. The lower eyelashes gradually became introverted, and the amount of angle change was 9.3 degrees at postoperative 1 month (P < 0.001). These lashes become slightly extroverted to -15.0 degrees at 3 months after the correction. Conclusions: Lower eyelashes become introverted to about 9 degrees after surgical correction. They become more introverted after operation when the epiblepharon is more severe and when they are more reconditioned to extroversion immediately after the operation.