Upper Eyelid Reconstruction

The upper eyelid is a very specialized and critical structure, providing protection for the cornea and the globe. With defects in the upper eyelid, it is crucial to not only restore the missing or injured anatomy but also to make sure that physiologic function is preserved, specifically, the excursion or mobility of the eyelid and its protective function, especially against dry eye. Reconstructive considerations in a full-thickness eyelid defect include providing tarsus or a substitute to provide for stability of the eyelid margin, as well as being in contact with the ocular surface.