Is 26 Too Young for Ptosis and Can it be Fixed Without Surgery?

Question

I started to have a droop on my upper right eye, (seemingly within just a week!) then a year later the left started to do it and now the right seems twice as bad. I am only 27, I have no idea what could be causing this or how to fix it. Thanks!

Steven Goldman, MD · Answer

From the picture, it does appear that you have mild ptosis (eyelid droop), left greater than right. You also have mild skin excess. You and your surgeon need to clarify what is really bothering you. Is it the slightly lower position of the left eyelid (the ptosis) -- or the skin folds on the upper lid (the skin excess)?

	Correction of the skin excess can be achieved under local anesthesia in the office using a skin-only blepharoplasty; this may slightly improve the ptosis by "unloading" the eyelid (removing the weight of the excess skin). A ptosis repair is more complex; there are several methods, all of which tighten the levator mechanism (the eyelid muscle's attachment to the upper eyelid internally). If your vision is not affected by the ptosis, you may want to remove the excess skin with the blepharoplasty and observe the ptosis for now.

	I hope this helps. Please feel free to email other questions or come to Beachwood for a consultation.

Flavia Davit, MD · Answer

No one is symmetric and sometimes it could look one has droopy eye.
You should be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon or oculopastic surgeon

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

As mentioned in other responses, you have a mild droopiness [ptosis] of the upper lids, left greater than right. In addition, there is a subtle difference between the upper eyelid skin folds that could be addressed with a conservative skin excision.

	There is no subsitute for an "in-person" consulation with an ASOPRS oculoplastics surgeon.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Dear Vbee

	You do have some facial asymmetry.  The left upper eyelid is subtly ptotic compared to the right side.  I would recommend a careful work up by an oculoplastic surgeon.  I can recommend Julian Perry in Cleveland or Jill Foster in Columbus.  It is important to go to the right surgeon so that you can be appropriate and accurate advice.

Damon B. Chandler, MD · Answer

From your one single photo you do not demonstrate any ptosis ("toe-sis") significant enough for surgical repair. There are no non-surgical options that are viable for eyelid ptosis correction. You also have a very slight asymmetry in the creases of your upper eyelids. Being 26 years old is not really the issue here, your facial anatomy is. You need an in-person consultation with a board-certified, fellowship-trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in ptosis repair and eyelid surgery. During your exam, the surgeon can do a much needed, thorough physical examination of your eyelids, the function of the eyelid muscles, and he/she can assess the symmetry of your eyelids and face. Please avoid any doctors that do eyelid surgery part time, they cannot help you. Good luck with your exam!
Damon B. Chandler, MD
Harvard-Penn Trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon

Is 26 Too Young for Ptosis and Can it be Fixed Without Surgery?

Answers (10)

Answer: There may be no obvious reason for this.

Answer: There may be no obvious reason for this.

Answer: Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid due to muscle weakness)

Answer: Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid due to muscle weakness)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ptosis Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is 26 Too Young for Ptosis and Can it be Fixed Without Surgery?

Answers (10)

Answer: There may be no obvious reason for this.

Answer: There may be no obvious reason for this.

Answer: Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid due to muscle weakness)

Answer: Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid due to muscle weakness)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ptosis Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.