Ptosis Surgery - not doing well - 6 weeks post-op. (photo)

Question

I had ptosis surgery on both eyes. The right one was perfect after two weeks but the left one developed scarring and hematoma that needed to be removed. Now it's been an additional 4 weeks after that one and my eye lid looks terrible, filled with scar tissue. I was told to use warm packs and massage it so the scarring would go away that fills my eye lid but have seen no improvement. Can someone please reassure me and tell me what my next step may be. I will follow up but want a 2nd opinion.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

The left eyelid will recover but it will not end up looking like the right upper eyelid.  This eyelid no longer has the structure that helps the right upper eyelid look as it does.  The left upper eyelid has a disinserted anterior levator aponeurosis.  That is why this eyelid looks this way.  That can happen with the hematoma.  Time will not fix this. You will need to have revisional ptosis surgery for this.  I would strongly recommend waiting a full 6 months before having this revised.  The revisional surgery is much more complicated than the original surgery.  I would still do an anterior levator ptosis surgery but the dissection is very challenging due to the scar tissue that will be present.  The revisional surgery can also lower the upper eyelid crease.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

It is best to let the eyelid heal for about 3 months and then re-evaluate. You may end up needing revision eyelid ptosis surgery, which is best done using a different technique. See following link.

Ptosis Surgery - not doing well - 6 weeks post-op. (photo)

Answers (2)