Ptosis is the drooping of the upper eyelid that can occur in one or both eyes. The levator muscle holds the eyelid in the correct position and allows the eyelid to move up and down. The levator tendon (the fibrous connection between the levator muscle and the lid) stretches, loosening its attachment to the eyelid and causing it to sag.
Ptosis can be congenital (present at birth) or it can come on gradually as a part of the normal aging process.
Ptosis can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
If the ptosis is not bothering your vision, and you are not concerned with its appearance, then there is no need for treatment. If you decide to have the eyelid repaired surgically, the exact procedure used will depend on the cause.
If a levator tendon has pulled away from the lid, reattaching the tendon can correct the ptosis
If the muscle is weak, a surgical tuck will tighten the tendon to provide additional lift
Surgery to treat ptosis is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthetic and takes less than 1 hour. Over-the-counter pain medication can reduce any discomfort you might have and applying ice should prevent excessive swelling. Patients vary in their response to surgery, but generally the swelling is gone within about two weeks.
Most people seek out a ptosis surgeon because of cosmetic reasons or because the drooping eyelid is impacting their ability to see clearly.
When people choose to have drooping eyelid surgery for cosmetic reasons, it means that they do not like how their drooping eyelids are affecting their physical appearance. They may feel that people judge them for their drooping eyelids, and it may be affecting their self-esteem.
Individuals with severely drooping eyelids may have to look through their eyelashes or physically raise their lids with their forehead muscles or fingers in order to see the entire view in front of them. When this happens, it means that the drooping eyelid is impacting their vision. This is a medical reason to have ptosis surgery.
Eyelid may not close properly for a few weeks after surgery
Increased exposure and air due to swelling can cause the eye and surface of the cornea to become dry, especially while sleeping (lubricating drops and ointments can alleviate dryness and discomfort)
Asymmetry between the eyelids if the levator muscle does not respond as expected
When researching eyelid surgeons in Georgia, make sure you choose an oculoplastic surgeon. These are ophthalmologists who have completed a 1 or 2-year fellowship in plastic surgery of the eyelids and tissues around the eyes. We have trained fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon on staff, Dr. Byron Long, to correct sagging upper eyelids. Contact us at 770-427-8111 to schedule an Oculoplastics Consultation.
When it comes to your eyes, nothing beats a face-to-face consultation with one of our eye doctors. Request an appointment to meet with one of our specialists.
8/1/2018
8/1/2018