Dry eye symptoms following blepharoptosis surgery in elderly (≥80 years old) vs. non-elderly patients

Background: This study aims to compare the prevalence of dry eye symptoms following blepharoptosis surgery and surgical outcomes in patients ≥80 years old when compared to younger, case-matched controls. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 166 patients ≥80 years old who were post-blepharoptosis surgery for involutional ptosis was performed. A younger, case-matched control group of 169 patients ≥40 and ≤79 years old who had undergone the same operation within 12 months of each case was also reviewed. Results: A total of 169 younger patients (mean age 67.4, SD 7.79) and 166 elderly patients (mean age 83.8, SD 3.37) were included in the study. No significant difference was found between the groups for new or worsened dry eye symptoms at the first or second postoperative visit (p = 0.54). The presence of preoperative dry eye symptoms had no relation to worsened symptoms by 6 months (p = 0.17). Preoperative margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) was smaller for the 80+ group (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in MRD1 post-op, MRD1 asymmetry post-op, or complication rate between the two groups (p-values >0.05). Conclusion: Dry eye symptoms and adverse surgical outcomes were not found to be increased post-blepharoptosis surgery in the elderly population when compared to younger case-matched controls.