Eyelid Ptosis

Not everybody is eligible for eyelid ptosis surgery. For some lighter cases of the lazy eyelid, eyelid ptosis treatment without surgery seems to be more suitable since it is less invasive than classic ptosis repair. The degree of droopiness in the eyelids varies from person to person. To understand if having or not the ptosis, it is an excellent way to compare a recent photo of the face with one from 10 or 20 years ago and see if any difference in the eyelid skin. 

How long should you stay in the hospital after the surgery? 

Usually, an overnight stay is not required

1 to 3 hours

Before the eyelid ptosis surgery, it is essential to inform the ophthalmologists of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements currently used. It is also important for the eye surgeon to know if the patients take aspirin (or aspirin-containing drugs) or blood thinners. 

The type of ptosis surgery depends on the case. Patients with congenital ptosis, especially children, will undergo so-called frontalis ptosis surgery, attaching their eyelids to frontalis muscles which are normally responsible for the eyelid movement. Other patients will have their eyelid muscles moved forward in order to increase the vision. 

During the eyelid ptosis surgery, the surgeon aims to tighten the levator muscle of the eyes. This makes the eyelids lift up into the desired position. Doctors sometimes recommend an eyelid ptosis surgery to prevent the start of lazy eye (amblyopia union especially for children who have ptosis.

The eyelid ptosis surgery is a delicate droopy eyelid treatment which requires a skilled eye doctor. Therefore, it is better to conduct proper research before choosing an eye doctor for your eyelid surgery procedure.

Sutures used in eyelid ptosis surgery are usually removed after one week. If both upper lids have been treated through eyelid ptosis surgery, at least one of the eye pads will be removed after an hour from the surgery, for the patients can return home to rest comfortably.

Eyelid surgery procedure also leaves some bruising, which may take a little longer to pass. Patients who undergo droopy eyelid surgery need to use antibiotics and other medications prescribed by their ophthalmologists for a certain of time after their ptosis repair surgery.

The eyelid ptosis surgery procedure is safe, but complications are possible. For example, overcorrecting is a potential complication as well as under correction. This risk causes the eyelid being either too high or too low and requires revision surgery. In a 2018 study, 8.7% of cases among 1,519 patients have been required a secondary surgery after the initial procedure.

Some patients after ptosis repair surgery, experience problems with closing their eyelids as well as dryness of eyes. Others may have an eyelid infection. However, those and other complications after droopy eyelid surgery can be dealt with by eye doctors.

Swelling and bruising together with mild, temporary eye dryness and incomplete lid closure are usually associated with eyelid ptosis surgery treatment. However, those side effects are acceptable since the outcomes of droopy eyelid surgery are usually satisfactory for patients. Still, it is necessary to talk with the surgeon before the surgery about all of those possible side effects and associated risks. 

While there is no data available for eyelid ptosis surgery success rates, it is safe to say that most of the cases of the droopy eyelid are treatable with eyelid surgery. Congenital ptosis is thought to be the hardest to fight with, but it is of paramount importance to see an eye doctor before it becomes harder to treat.

What Is Eyelid Ptosis?
Eyelid ptosis is a medical condition, in which one or both upper eyelids are sagging, partially or totally covering the eyesight. This condition is also known as droopy or lazy eyelid. It can limit or even completely block normal vision. 

Is Eyelid Ptosis Surgery the same with Blepharoplasty? 
No. Blepharoplasty is plastic surgery, also known as an eye lift, while droopy eye surgery is a must for many patients due to problems with vision affected negatively by it.

Is There any Eyelid Ptosis Treatment Without Surgery?
Yes, eyelid ptosis surgery is often the last call. Before deciding on this droopy eyelid treatment, eye doctors usually attempt at other, less invasive methods or make a small adjustment to lid’s lifting muscles. 

This content is written and reviewed by our medical content team in February 2022