Purpose: Although several reports of supernumerary orbital muscles related
to the levator palpebrae superioris have been published, no case has been a
ssociated with congenital eyelid retraction. This report describes an appar
ent causal relationship between an accessory levator muscle slip and congen
ital eyelid retraction.
Methods: Case report and literature review.
Results: Release of the anomalous muscle's attachment from the superior tar
sal border alone resulted in resolution of the eyelid retraction.
Conclusions: Eyelid muscle anomalies may be a cause of congenital eyelid re
traction. Ophthalmologists who treat eyelid disorders should be aware of th
is possibility when evaluating and operating on patients with congenital ey
elid retraction.