Eyes 2 Different Sizes: Excess Eyelid Skin or Unsuccessful Ptosis Surgery? (photo)

I had revision ptosis surgery on my right eye 2 months ago for under-correction, and my eyes still are uneven looking. Do I need another revision, or is there something with the shape of the eye, eyelid skin, or other that requires a different type of surgery? The surgeon was satisfied with the 2nd surgery but I'm still uncomfortable with the result and want to know if the ptosis surgery was again unsuccessful or something else needs to be done to even out eyes.

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by WickiNYC

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (3)

Ptosis Revision, Upper Eyelid Surgery, Or Brow Lift?

Tough question. Rarely, are two eyelids perfectly symmetric. Your right eyelid may have 1 to 2 mm of ptosis (hard to tell based upon aspect of gaze and camera angle). Is your right eyelid better than before surgery? If it is, you may want to stop the revisions, particularly if your surgeon is happy with the result... more

Recurrent Ptosis

Any honest surgeon will let you know that ptosis surgery is complicated and that recurrence of ptosis and/or failure of the surgery is a real possibility. I agree that the right upper eyelid is ptotic, but also agree that further surgical intervention is probably best held off for at least 6 months. Your right eyebrow also sits lower than your left, enhancing the relative asymmetry.

Revision eyelid ptosis surgery

Based on the photos, you do have ptosis of the right eye and smaller vertical opening compared to the left. It's hard to discern on single view photo but it appears that your right cheek is also flatter and less projecting. You right eyebrow also appears lower. Your right eye may be positioned slightly behind the left eye and that will make the right eyes appears smaller. Most people are asymmetric, it's just a matter of degree of asymmetry that we can tolerate or accept. I would recommend... more

Ptosis

Recurrent ptosis surgery can be challenging, but is possible. At this point, I would not jump in to have surgery a third time right away. My recommendation is to wait at least 6 months to allow the scarring to further soften and mature, before attempting a third time. If you plan on getting another opinion from an Oculoplastics surgeon, I would recommend getting copies of the operation reports from the first 2 surgeries, so that a more informed decision can be made regarding the next... more

A.J. Amadi, MD

14 reviews

Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

Revisional ptosis surgery

You do have right upper eyelid ptosis. Ptosis surgery is not always easy and revision ptosis surgery is even harder. However, there is a technique that more predictably works in those who have had multiple previous ptosis surgeries. The technique is called full-thickness eyelid resection for revisional ptosis surgery. Seen an oculoplastic surgeon.

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Comments (3)

WickiNYC 2 Jan 2013

Thank you os much Dr. Wang and Dr. Prendeville. I had no idea that ptosis surgery had such a high failure rate; my surgeon didn't mention the possibility until after the first surgery failed, and after the second surgery did not ask me to come back after the stitch removal. I can tell that there is some difference in the eyebrow also but appreciate that confirmation. I will return to the surgeon in a month or so but will wait for repeat surgery until after some time has passed and I get a 2nd opinion. Thanks again!!

WickiNYC 26 Dec 2012

Thank you, Dr. Amadi. Lots of helpful feedback. I will return to my current oculoplastic surgeon, and then seek a second opinion before doing anything further.