To assess surgical outcomes after adjusting the amount of resection of the conjunctiva and the Muller muscle according to 10% phenylephrine test results.

The charts of 32 patients (32 eyes) with mild upper eyelid ptosis were reviewed retrospectively. They all had conjunctiva-Muller muscle resections. A preoperative 10% phenylephrine test was performed to determine the resection amount of the Muller muscle and conjunctiva. An 8 mm resection was performed when phenylephrine raised the ptotic lid to the same level as that of the contralateral lid. A 7 mm resection was performed when the ptotic lid was raised to a level higher than that of the contralateral lid. A 9 mm resection was performed when the ptotic lid was raised to a level not quite to the level of the contralateral lid.

Of the 32 patients, 28 were female and 4 were male. The mean age of the patients was 30.8±10.2 years. Patients were followed up for an average of 40.2±36.8 days, postoperatively. Postoperative upper lid positions were exactly symmetrical in 26 of the 32 patients. Five patients showed undercorrection, and 1 patient showed overcorrection.

Excellent results were obtained by resecting the conjunctiva and Muller muscle according to the phenylephrine reaction of a ptotic eyelid.