Effects of magnetic resonance imaging fields on gold eyelid loads

Magnetic resonance imaging is frequently used for visualization of soft tissues of the head and neck. It was the purpose of this study to determine whether gold eyelid weights, used for treatment of lagophthalmos in facial palsy, would be deflected at high magnetic strengths during imaging. Ex vivo study of six incrementally increasing weights at two magnetic strengths was performed. There was no deflection of any of the gold eyelid loads at either 0.5-tesla or 1.5-tesla magnetic strengths. We conclude that patients with gold eyelid weights are not at risk of damage from movement of the prostheses during magnetic resonance imaging examination.