From Addressing Aesthetics and Soft Tissue to Visual Performance: Multifaceted Satisfaction Assessment in a Multicenter Study of Patients With Dermatochalasis.

[BACKGROUND] In this study, we seek to answer the question: Does blepharoplasty for dermatochalasis alter visual performance?

[OBJECTIVES] We seek to determine the impact of blepharoplasty on visual performance (refraction, contrast sensitivity, and visual field) in patients with dermatochalasis.

[METHODS] A total of 146 eyelids of 74 patients, 48 (64.9%) females and 26 (35.1%) males ranging from 40 to 68 years old, with dermatochalasis were analyzed prospectively. Refraction, contrast sensitivity, visual acuity, higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and mean deviation index (MDI) in the Humphrey visual field were evaluated and recorded before and at 2, 4, and 6 months after upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

[RESULTS] At the latest follow-up, uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity showed no significant differences (P > .05). Patients' contrast sensitivity increased significantly at all spatial frequencies under both conditions (P < .05) except at 12 cycles per degree in the photopic condition (P = .947). Mean astigmatism significantly decreased from -1.17 ± 0.83 to -0.89 ± 0.66 postoperatively (P ≤ .001). Total HOAs decreased significantly from 0.59 ± 0.13 μm to 0.51 ± 0.09 μm (P < .01) after surgery. The root mean square of the spherical aberration (P < .01), vertical trefoil (P = .018), horizontal trefoil (P < .01), horizontal coma (P < .001), and vertical coma (P < .01) decreased significantly. The MDI of the Humphrey visual field increased significantly postoperatively at all times compared with preoperatively (P < .05). The Blepharoplasty Outcomes Evaluation questionnaire showed significant favorable satisfaction with visual quality indexes (P < .001).

[CONCLUSIONS] Upper lid blepharoplasty, in addition to its aesthetic effect, is an effective intervention to promote visual function and quality of life.