Do I Need a Blepharoplasty And/or Ptosis Surgery? (photo)

Hi Doctors, I'm in my early 30's and unhappy with the way my eyes look. I suspect I have ptosis in my right eye. My brother also suffers from a droopy eye and we both wore contacts for close to 10 years. I want my eyes to look even, younger, and more awake. I showed these pictures to one doctor, and he said I look great and don't need any surgery. I'm confused. Which surgery(s) would I need? A blepharoplasty? Ptosis surgery? or both? Help, I really want to get this fixed ASAP.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by vivien777 in London

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (0)

Blepharoplasty or ptosis surgery

From the pictures shown there is a small amount of ptosis on the left eyelid. Blepharoplasty is not needed. A simple ptosis surgery via the external or internal approach is all that is needed on either one or both eyes.

Eyelid asymmetry

There are two problems. One is that you have mild left (on photo) upper eyelid ptosis. The other is that you have bony facial asymmetry with right side of your face smaller than the left, which causes the soft tissue, including eyelids/brows, to be closer together. Left upper eyelid ptosis surgery can help but it is risky given such minor ptosis. You can camouflage the asymmetry by performing filler injection in the left brow area to help cover the left upper eyelid platform... more

No Blepharoplasty

It appears that you have some ptosis of your left upper lid and retraction of your right upper lid. If you cover the left eye I would bet you have ptosis of your right upper eyelid also. You should visit an experienced oculoplastic surgeon for evaluation and treatment. Dr. ES

You do not have ptosis that needs surgery

The position of the upper lid is lower and cover the pupil in patients that have ptosis. You have asymmetry of the eye brow and eye, but this is very common and will not look better with surgery. Your pictures are taken with lens too close to your face.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

This is why there are eyelid specialists in the world.

Vivien It is interesting that you have identified the right eye as being droopy or ptotic. In fact you have mild ptosis of the left upper eyelid with a compensatory left eyebrow lift. This causes the right sub-eyebrow area to appear fuller than the left side. In addition you have left upper eyelid eyelash ptosis. This means the the eyelashes on the left side also shade the left cornea more than the right and this makes the left eye look more dull. As Dr. Koltus... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eye Asymmetry

Without an actual exam it is impossible to be exact. However, it appears that you simply have a little natural asymmetry. You do not have any ptosis although the left eyelid appears to be lower than the right at first glance. When carefully examined, it crosses above the pupil at exactly the same point as the right. Both appear to be at a proper elevation indicating there is no ptosis present. The upper part of the right eyelid is merely lower. The right brow is also slightly lower also. A... more

Fix for droopy eyelid

Based on your photographs it appears you have mild ptosis of the left upper eyelid. Droopy eyelids can be associated with contact lens use. A ptosis repair (different than blepharoplasty which is not necessary in your case) on the left side can help to improve asymmetry caused by a drooping eyelid. This can be performed with an incision on the front of the eyelid or on the back of the eyelid (no visible scar). It is not mandatory to have... more

No one needs a blepharoplasty.

The photo demonstrates youth full and symmetrical eyelids in orbit. Eyelid surgery will not improve this. All cosmetic surgery is elective and is never necessary.