Dermatochalasis and dry eye

The medical records of 141 patients with dermatochalasis seen during the 32-month period of January 1989 through August 1991 were reviewed. Patients were classified on the basis of symptoms and mode of treatment and were examined for effectiveness of blepharoplasty in ameliorating these symptoms. Seventy-three patients (51.8%) had symptoms similar to those found in keratoconjunctivitis sicca, including mattering, burning, itching, redness, epiphora, foreign-body sensation, and photophobia. Of these 73 patients, 38 (52.1%) underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Subjective improvement in symptoms was achieved in 33 of these patients (86.8%) postoperatively. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty may represent an effective component in the treatment of patients with dermatochalasis and dry-eye symptoms.