[Eyelid measures before and after upper blepharoplasty--quantitative evaluation].

PURPOSE To evaluate eyelid measures before and after upper blepharoplasty surgery using a digital image system. METHODS Eighteen eyelids of 9 patients with dermatochalasis were evaluated at the Hospital das Clínicas de Botucatu-UNESP regarding eyelid measures before and after upper blepharoplasty. All patients were female, aged between 40 and 75 years. The images were acquired by a photographic camera, transferred to a computer and then analyzed by the Scion Image Frame Grabber program. The evaluated parameters were upper eyelid position in primary gaze position, upper palpebral sulcus and lateral eyelid angle. The measures were obtained before and after 60 days of upper dermatochalasis surgery. RESULTS After the surgery, there was an increase of upper eyelid position and upper palpebral sulcus; the lateral palpebral angle did not show any alteration. CONCLUSION Eyelid position changes after blepharoplasty and digital image processing provides quantitative measures of the eyelid, allowing a better quantification of the surgical results.