Ptosis is the medical term for drooping upper eyelids. The “p” in ptosis is silent. Ptosis occurs when the upper eyelid is lower than the typical – becoming closer to the pupil (sometimes the eyelid is so low that it covers the pupil). When the eyelids are droopy, you might hear, “you look tired,” but you are not tired; your eyelids are droopy.
Ptosis can cause problems with your vision, especially peripheral vision. Droppy eyelids can make driving more challenging and dangerous and even complicate routine tasks like reading and working on a computer.
Ptosis is most commonly caused by the weakening of the muscle responsible for opening the eyelid, which is part of the aging process. There are other reasons (besides aging) for a droppy eyelid, therefore, it is important to seek evaluation by an eyelid specialist.
You can open your eyelid thanks to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. But when the muscle attachment (aponeurosis) at the end of this muscle stretches or weakens, it disrupts muscle function and makes it far more challenging to open your eye fully.
Some other causes of ptosis include genetics, congenital ptosis (born with a weak levator muscle), stroke (neurologic), tumors behind the eye (pseudoptosis), and myasthenia gravis (neurologic).
Regardless of the reason for ptosis, this condition should be evaluated by an eyelid specialist to determine if you are a good candidate for surgery.
Ptosis repair is a surgical procedure to restore the position of your drooping eyelids. In this procedure, Dr. R. Lim increases the function of the muscle by shortening it. The goal of the surgery is to move the eyelid to a higher position, restore clearer vision, and make you look more awake.
A blepharoplasty procedure removes excess skin and fat without addressing the muscle to lift the eyelid. Since blepharoplasty doesn’t involve muscle repair, your lid height remains unchanged.
The overall goal with ptosis repair is to improve eyelid position (height) so the eyelid does not disrupt your vision. So while it’s not a cosmetic procedure, it can certainly have the effect of improving your appearance.
If you need ptosis repair but also want to improve the appearance of your upper or lower eyelids significantly, contact the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery about combining procedures.
In adults, ptosis repair requires only local anesthesia, and it’s typically a same-day procedure. During the surgery, your surgeon creates an incision in the upper eyelid skin (similar to blepharoplasty incision). In some cases, they can make an incision on the inside of the lid. Your surgeon will determine the best approach for you.
The specifics of your ptosis repair depend on the severity of your condition and your goals for the procedure. At the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery, we will customize a surgical approach for your individual eyelid needs.
If your eyelid droops and keeps you from seeing well, call the Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery or book a consultation using online booking now.
