The Effect of Epiblepharon Surgery on Visual Acuity and With-the-Rule Astigmatism in Children

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of epiblepharon surgery on visual acuity and with-the-rule astigmatism in children compared to patients without surgical treatment. METHODS We undertook a retrospective case control study and reviewed the charts of 202 eyes treated with epiblepharon surgery and of 142 eyes without surgery. The surgical procedure for epiblepharon correction used rotating suture techniques. Data regarding age, best corrected visual acuity, and degree of astigmatism were recorded. Baseline and 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative data were collected. The chi-square test, Student's t-test and general linear model analysis for repeated measures were applied. RESULTS The mean astigmatism in the surgical group decreased from 1.10 ± 1.02 diopter (D) preoperatively to 0.84 ± 1.05 D at 3 months after surgery (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference compared to the non-surgical group during the first year. The general linear model analysis comparing the mean astigmatism between the two groups over time showed a significant group-time interaction (p < 0.05). Within the surgical group, the higher baseline astigmatic subgroup and the 5- to 8-year-old group demonstrated greater cylinder reduction over time. The change in mean visual acuity was not significant in either group. CONCLUSIONS Significant astigmatic reduction was found after surgical correction in epiblepharon patients. Patients with higher baseline astigmatism exhibited greater astigmatic reduction after epiblepharon surgery. These results suggest that, in order to reduce astigmatism, an epiblepharon operation should be considered in patients with a high level of astigmatism.