Evaluation of Visual Field and Balance Function Alterations in Patients Who Underwent Dermatochalasis Surgery

Purpose. To compare perioperative visual field (VF), balance functions (BF), and changes in the other ocular parameters in patients undergoing upper eyelid dermatochalasis (DC) surgery. Methods. One hundred and fifty-eight eyes of 79 patients who underwent DC surgery were included in the study. The VF, BF, intraocular pressure (IOP), pachymetry (PM), macular, and optic nerve measurements were recorded. Measurements were repeated at postoperative month 1. The preoperative and postoperative ocular measurements and the balance data were compared. Results. Nineteen of 79 (24.05%) patients were male and 60 of 79 (75.95%) were female, while the mean age of the patients was 58.65 +/- 7.38 years. There were statistically significant differences in terms of VF and macular thickness between the preoperative and postoperative values. The improvements in mean defect, standard loss variance, and mean sensitivity values of global VF parameters in both eyes were statistically significant after surgery. Central macular thickness, mean macular thickness, and macular volume decreased significantly in all eyes after surgery (p<0.05). Conclusions. Although a marked improvement was observed in VF and peripheral vision after surgery, no significant change was found in BF parameters including primarily falling risk. The significant change in the macular parameters was only remarkable, and we think that the decrease was due to subtle vasospasm. There is a need for further comprehensive studies including especially patients older than 65 with a view to understanding the effect of DC surgery on BF.