Affiliation:
1. Penn State College of Medicine Hershey Pennsylvania U.S.A.
2. Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Penn State College of Medicine Hershey Pennsylvania U.S.A.
Abstract
ObjectiveOxymetazoline hydrochloride has been shown to be effective in some studies for acquired blepharoptosis and for aesthetic upper eyelid elevation. This study aims to systematically review the literature on the use of topical oxymetazoline for treating acquired blepharoptosis.Databases ReviewedPubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health), Scopus (Elsevier), and Cochrane.MethodsA systematic review of studies published between 2013 and 2024 following PRISMA guidelines was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Primary outcomes included pre‐ to posttreatment change in marginal reflex distance (MRD1) after treatment with topical oxymetazoline, and mean difference (pre‐to‐posttreatment) in MRD1 versus control.ResultsFive articles included data from 458 patients for analysis. Meta‐analysis demonstrated significant improvement in MRD1 measurements posttreatment with oxymetazoline (1.40 mm; 95% confidence interval, CI [0.41 mm, 2.40 mm]). In addition, when compared to controls, patients treated with oxymetazoline demonstrated greater increase in MRD1 values (0.83 mm; 95% CI [0.10 mm, 1.55 mmm]). Heterogeneity, measured by I2 statistic, was high in all studies (85%–95%).ConclusionThe use of oxymetazoline 0.1% ophthalmic solution significantly improves MRD1 in patients with acquired blepharoptosis. Further studies comparing this treatment in other etiologies of acquired blepharoptosis should be conducted. Laryngoscope, 2024