Temporary tarsorrhaphy suture to prevent or treat scleral show and ectropion secondary to laser resurfacing or laser blepharoplasty.

The temporary tarsorrhaphy suture is introduced as a simple effective technique to prevent scleral show or ectropion secondary to laser skin resurfacing or laser blepharoplasty. In all but severe cases of prior existing scleral show or ectropion, the temporary tarsorrhaphy suture has been completely effective. It is also successfully used to prevent scleral show and ectropion for patients with poor lid snap and loss of elasticity of the lower eyelid at the time of laser skin resurfacing and blepharoplasty. A 5-0 Prolene suture is placed through the gray line to approximate the upper and lower eyelids and is left in place for 5 days. This supports the lower eyelid during the critical period of dermal and epidermal regeneration and during the formation of new collagen and elastin.