title: The aponeurotic approach to congenital ptosis.
abstract: Using a surgical technique directed at the levator aponeurosis, we successfully corrected 228 cases of congenital ptosis. The advantages of this approach are: normal anatomic planes and structures of the eyelid are maintained; basic and reflex tear secretion, goblet cells, or meibomian glands remain undisturbed, allowing maintenance of the three-layered tear film; any aponeurotic defects may be explored and repaired relatively easily; all elevating structures are preserved (aponeurosis rather than muscular levator is removed, Mueller's muscle is left intact, Whitnall's ligament is not violated); posterior sutures, which may irritate the cornea, are avoided; no tarsus or conjunctiva are removed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D011379:Prognosis; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism