The A-frame operation for acquired blepharoptosis

R. G. Small

The A-frame operation has been found effective in the treatment of acquired blepharoptosis. It has the following advantages: (1) it can be done easily, rapidly, and if desired, bilaterally, with a minimum of dissection; (2) corneal irritation is not seen; (3) the tarsus is not disturbed; (4) since it is done through an external incision, it can be done with a concomitant blepharoplasty or other oculoplastic procedure; and (5) the procedure is easily learned. The operation is a block resection of levator aponeurosis, Muller's muscle, and conjunctiva. The term "A-frame" was adopted from the use of temporary traction sutures to pull up the layers to be resected, suggesting an A-frame building. The results in 40 eyelids are presented with two illustrative case histories.