Histological Changes in Levator Aponeurosis According to Blepharoptosis and Aging

Background Many studies about the levator aponeurosis complex of the blepharoptosis have already been presented. However, the studies about the changes of the levator aponeurosis are relatively insufficient. So, this study was performed to observe histological changes of levator aponeurosis that arise depending on the severity of blepharoptosis and the age. Methods Twenty patients who have undergone surgical treatment for blepharoptosis from 2013 to 2014 were analyzed in this study. Patients were categorized mild or severe group according to the severity of blepharoptosis, and the age. Through the blepharoplasty incision, we harvested the specimens of the levator aponeurosis on the upper border of tarsal plate. After staining the specimens with the Verhoeff-van Gieson technique, the changes of elastin was analyzed in a histopathological manner. Results Light microscopy of the levator aponeurosis stained positively for elastic fibers using the Verhoeff-van Gieson technique. Elastic fibers appear to have direct connections with the collagen fiber of the levator aponeurosis. The amount of the elastin was decreased in the old age group. And the amount of elastin was decreased markedly in severe blepharoptosis group. Conclusions The elastin of the levator aponeurosis was decreased in old age and elastin tended to decreased markedly in severe levator function group. The levator aponeurosis plays a greater role in the eyelid ptosis. Therefore, knowledge about the histologic changes of the levator aponeurosis may give more help us to understand the high recurrence rate of the blepharoptosis in old age. Also, considering this information, will be helpful to the blepharoptosis surgery.

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