Ptosis is different from blepharoplasty (excess eyelid skin due to loss of elasticity), in that the eyelid muscles are droopy or low. The eyelid may even droop to the extent that it affects the patient’s visual field. While there may be excess skin, it is not the primary issue.
What causes ptosis or droopy eyelids?
A person may be born with a droopy eyelid (congenital ptosis), or it may occur with age as the eyelid muscle stretches and lengthens, causing the lid to drop. Rare causes of ptosis include trauma, a stroke, or a tumour.
Ptosis – What happens during droopy eyelid surgery?
The type of surgery that is done to correct the droopy eyelid depends on the cause. Your ophthalmologist will assess you and advise you on the best procedure for your particular complaint. Patients may be required to stop blood thinning medication including Aspirin and Warfarin shortly before the surgery. The eyelids are extremely vascular and there may be more bleeding during the procedure if the blood is thinner.
Is ptosis surgery painful?
While there isn’t a lot of pain associated with ptosis surgery, the eyelid tissue does well significantly, and bruising will be visible for up to a month after surgery. Your doctor will advise the use of ice packs at home in the two days following surgery to help reduce bruising and swelling.
Generally, if the eyelid is very low and the muscle has very poor function (as is commonly the case with congenital ptosis), then the surgeon will perform a “sling like” procedure. This uses the forehead muscles to pull the eyelid upwards.
In age-related ptosis (most common cause), the surgeon will make an incision through the upper eyelid skin crease. She will shorten and tighten the muscle that lifts the eyelid to ensure it achieves the correct height.
What are the risks and complications associated with ptosis/droopy eyelid surgery?
- Not achieving desired height of eyelid
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Infection
Ptosis – What happens during droopy eyelid surgery?
The type of surgery that is done to correct the droopy eyelid depends on the cause. Your ophthalmologist will assess you and advise you on the best procedure for your particular complaint.
Olivia, we need some info here about how long it takes and if it is a day procedure. Do patients have to stop their blood thinning meds like they do for blepharoplasty? See sentence below taken from the blepharoplasty doc:
Patients may be required to stop blood thinning medication including Aspirin and Warfarin shortly before the surgery. The eyelids are extremely vascular and there may be more bleeding during the procedure if the blood is thinner.
Is ptosis surgery painful?
While there isn’t a lot of pain associated with ptosis surgery, the eyelid tissue does well significantly, and bruising will be visible for up to a month after surgery. Your doctor will advise the use of ice packs at home in the two days following surgery to help reduce bruising and swelling.
Generally, if the eyelid is very low and the muscle has very poor function (as is commonly the case with congenital ptosis), then the surgeon will perform a “sling like” procedure. This uses the forehead muscles to pull the eyelid upwards.
In age-related ptosis (most common cause), the surgeon will make an incision through the upper eyelid skin crease. They will shorten and tighten the muscle that lifts the eyelid to ensure it achieves the correct height.
What are the risks and complications associated with ptosis/droopy eyelid surgery?
- Not achieving desired height of eyelid
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Infection
