AIM: To investigate the efficacy of orbicularis oculi muscle resection combined with orbicularis oculi muscle shortening and lower eyelid retractor reduction in the treatment of elderly lower eyelid entropion.

METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted among 97 elderly patients(175 eyes)with lower eyelid entropion who admitted to the hospital from June 2019 to June 2021. According to the treatment method, the patients were divided into control group(47 patients of 82 eyes treated with orbicularis oculi muscle resection)and combination group(50 patients of 93 eyes treated with orbicularis oculi muscle resection combined with orbicularis oculi muscle shortening and lower eyelid retractor reduction). The two groups were compared in terms of short-term curative effect, perioperative indexes, scores of symptoms and signs before and after surgery, width of palpebral fissure before and after surgery, direction of eyelashes, exposure rate of lacrimal caruncle, complications, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS: The total response rate in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the control group(95% vs 80%, P=0.004). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time and hospital stay of the combination group were significantly more/longer than those of the control group(P<0.001). The scores of symptoms and signs such as lacrimation, foreign body sensation, photophobia and irritation in the combination group after the surgery were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P<0.001). After surgery, the width of palpebral fissure, direction of eyelashes and exposure rate of lacrimal caruncle in the combination group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications in the combination group was lower than that in the control group(8% vs 18%, P=0.032). The patient satisfaction scores of comfort level, trichiasis correction, scar appearance, eyes symmetry and appearance in the combination group were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Orbicularis oculi muscle resection combined with orbicularis oculi muscle shortening and lower eyelid retractor reduction is effective and safe in the treatment of elderly lower eyelid entropion, which can meet the requirements of the patients.