OBJECTIVETo evaluate the treatment effect of the two surgical methods for upper eyelid retraction with thyroid associated-ophthalmopathy.

METHODSTwenty-two patients (32 eyes) with inactive thyroid associated-ophthalmopathy were divided into 2 groups (11 for each group) randomly. 11 patients (18 eyes) in the group A were treated by central tenotomy of levator aponeurosis. Another 11 patients (14 eyes) in the group B were treated by lengthening of Mullers' muscle combined with levator muscle. The treatment effect was investigated in 6-month follow-up study.

RESULTSAll of the patients were improved with the two surgical methods, which there was very significant difference before and after the treatments (P < 0.01), but not between the two surgical methods (P > 0.05) by statistical analysis. There was recurrent retracting in 4 patients (6 eyes) of group A and in 1 patient (1 eye) of group B, which there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05) by Chi-square test. None of the patients was overcorrected.

CONCLUSIONSThe two methods are both effective and safe in correcting upper eyelid retraction. The rate of recurrent retracting is lower in lengthening of Mullers' muscle combined with levator muscle than that in central tenotomy of levator aponeurosis.