Eyelid Surgery for Ptosis of One Eye?

There are several causes of ptosis (the eye aperture appearing smaller) 1. Pseudoptosis - the appearance of ptosis when in fact that is not the case. This can happen when the eyeball is deeper in the socket (enophthalmos) or a patient has an eyeball alignment problem (hypertropia). 2. Muscle Looseness- when the muscle lifting the eyelid (levator) becomes loose 3. Neurological - certain nerves to lift the eyelid muscle can be impair and create ptosis (Third Nerve palsy/... more

In general, eyelid ptosis results from anatomic or functional impairment of the ability of the muscles that elevate the eyelid margin to do their job with full excursion and power. It's like trying to raise a piano up to a window in a tall building with a rope and pulley - if the rope snaps or the rope is too slack, the piano won't make it up. Oculoplastic specialists (ophthalmologists with extra expertise in surgery of the eyelids and orbits) are usually best suited to correcting this... more

It is helpful to know what sort of problems you had with your eye before your current condition. How long ago did your condiiton start? What procedure was performed on your eye? Did you go to an oculoplastic surgeon or opthalmologist for the original condition? If so, then it might be good to obtain a consultation with a real, board certified plastic surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery--the only board recognized by the Amercan Board of Medical Specialties (the Gold Standard in... more

Eyelid asymmetry is not uncommon and has many causes. It is important to first determine the cause and then to see if the asymmetry is transient or medially treatable, or if it is permanent without surgical intervention. If the cause of a droopy eyelid is thought to require surgery, there are also many techniques to address the asymmetry. Typically an oculoplastic surgeon is best equipped to evaluate and treat ptosis. I have attached a link to a video of a typical technique for... more

Ptosis can occur on the eyelids and is usually worse in one eye than the other. Both eyes are usually fixed at the time of the ptosis repair because of the nerve reflexes that occur between both eyelids. Ptosis repair can be done as a standalone procedure or in combination with cosmetic eyelid surgery. Ptosis repair is a medical condition that can be covered under the patient’s insurance.

Dear Nicole A number of factors affect the perception of eye size. A droopy or ptotic upper eyelid will definitely make the eye look smaller. However if the outer corner of the eyelids get stretched or the tendons that hold the lid at the outer corner become lax, the eye can look horizontally smaller. Surgery that affects the orbital fat can allow the eye to sink into the bone socket that contains the eye. This results in the eye looking smaller. Retinal detachment repair where a... more

Ptosis is a complex problem. There are many causes, from congenital ptosis, to traumatic ptosis and senile ptosis. Correction of one side can affect the lid position on the opposite side and consulting with an expert in ptosis is your best bet ahead of time. Ptosis surgery sometimes needs postoperative adjustments so sutures are left in place just for that purpose. An oculoplastic surgeon or a plastic surgeon with an expertise in ptosis will be best able to help you.