title: Corneal topography with upper eyelid platinum chain implantation using the pretarsal fixation technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of upper eyelid platinum chain implantation, with the pretarsal fixation technique, on corneal astigmatism.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective, cohort study. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients underwent upper eyelid platinum chain implantation, with the pretarsal fixation technique, for facial nerve palsy. Information recorded included patient demographics, etiology for facial palsy, weight of the implant, time from onset of paresis to upper eyelid platinum chain implantation, associated surgical procedures, and preoperative and postoperative corneal topography measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 15 patients studied, 10 were male and five were female. The mean age was 55.9 ± 13.8 years (range, 33-87 years). The most common etiology for facial palsy was acoustic neuroma. The weight of the implant ranged from 0.6 to 1.6gr (median 1.2gr). The time from onset of paresis to upper eyelid platinum chain implantation varied from 1 week to 3 months (median 1 month). Four patients had an associated procedure to correct the effect of paralytic ectropion. There was no statistically significant difference in with the rule astigmatism before and after platinum chain implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upper eyelid platinum chain implantation, with the pretarsal fixation technique, does not appear to cause significant change in corneal astigmatism. This is contrary to data for pretarsal gold weight implantation, which does induce significant with the rule astigmatism.
authors: Athens Eye Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Mavrikakis
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Efstathios T
authors: ET
authors: Detorakis
authors: 1st Ophthalmology Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Stefanos
authors: S
authors: Baltatzis
authors: 2nd Otolaryngology Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Yiotakis
authors: 2nd Otolaryngology Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Kandiloros
keywords: Corneal Astigmatism; Corneal Topography; Facial Nerve Palsy; Gold Weight Implants; Platinum Chains