How Long for a Repaired Severed Levator Muscle to Open the Eyelid?

14 month old granddaughter was attacked by dog. Her levator muscle in right eye was severed but repaired. How long before we know if her eye will open?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by concernedgg

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Severed levator muscle

In adults, it is appropriate to wait several months before worrying about lid position after trauma. In young children, one very important consideration is amblyopia, a condition where the brain favors a better seeing eye. If the damaged eyelid is impairing vision from the eye, go see a pediatric ophthalmologist or an oculoplastic surgeon soon (if you haven't already). Even if the eyelid is not completely blocking vision, the peripheral vision loss and possible astigmatism (gentle... more

Muscle function after levator repair

If the levator muscle was repaired after injury, the upper eyelid should exhibit some degree of function. This may be masked by the attendant swelling from the injury, and so it may take a few days for the lid to move normally. You should discuss any concerns with the surgeon who performed the operation.

She should have some function few days post surgery

The swelling after surgery will limit the muscle movement,but there should be some degree of the movement. The best person to answer your question is the doctor that did the repair.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

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New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

How Long for a Repaired Severed Levator Muscle to Open the Eyelid?

Regarding: "How Long for a Repaired Severed Levator Muscle to Open the Eyelid? 14 month old granddaughter was attacked by dog. Her levator muscle in right eye was severed but repaired. How long before we know if her eye will open?" The upper lid is lifted just like an old fashion store awning. The levator muscle is short and is attached just behind the upper rim of the eye socket. It fuses into a tough tendinous extentesion called the APONEUROSIS which attaches to the... more