Best technique for upper lid eversion

Abstract

Aim: Lid eversion is an essential component of contact lens aftercare. Hence, this study determined the best method of lid eversion based on three criteria: comfort, speed of administration and the area of the palpebral conjunctiva exposed. Method: Twenty-five participants (aged 20–34) had 6 different techniques applied in random order by the same clinician on two separate occasions: three involving a cotton bud placed on the extended upper eyelid either centrally, at the top of the tarsal plate or off-centre; one using the wooden end of the bud placed at the top of the tarsal plate; one using the clinician's index finger to evert the lid; and one using a silicone rubber, finger-shaped substitute. The participants judged the degree of discomfort of each technique on a visual analogue scale. The time to complete the task was timed with a stop-watch and the area of exposed palpebral conjunctiva was captured with a digital slit lamp and assessed using image analysis. Results: There was no difference between the initial lid eversion or subsequent repeat in terms of comfort (F = 0.304, p = 0.586), time to complete (F = 3.075, p = 0.092) or area exposed (F = 2.311, p = 0.142). Lid eversion using fingers alone or the silicone substitute everter were similar in comfort (p = 0.312), being the most comfortable methods, with off-centre cotton bud eversion or the wooden end of the cotton bud the least comfortable techniques (F = 17.480, p < 0.001). The quickest method to perform was the wooden end of the cotton bud, followed by the silicone everter (F = 17.522, p < 0.001). The area of exposed palpebral conjunctiva was greatest using the silicone everter (F = 28.199, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Lid eversion had repeatable results, with the silicone everter placed at the top of the tarsal plate the most comfortable for the patient, quick to perform and exposed a greater area of tarsal plate than other techniques and therefore is recommended to clinicians.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2019.07.002
Divisions: College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Optometry
College of Health & Life Sciences > School of Optometry > Optometry & Vision Science Research Group (OVSRG)
College of Health & Life Sciences
Additional Information: © 2019, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Uncontrolled Keywords: Evert,Lid eversion,Palpebral conjunctiva,Tarsal plate,Upper lid,Ophthalmology,Optometry
Publication ISSN: 1476-5411
Last Modified: 11 Mar 2024 08:28
Date Deposited: 30 Jul 2019 07:25
Full Text Link:
Related URLs: https://linking ... 367048419300475 (Publisher URL)
http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2019-12
Published Online Date: 2019-07-18
Accepted Date: 2019-07-09
Authors: Wolffsohn, James S. (ORCID Profile 0000-0003-4673-8927)
Tahhan, Mohammed
Vidal-rohr, Maria
Hunt, Olivia A.
Bhogal-bhamra, Gurpreet (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-8742-6319)

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