What is conjunctivo-mullerectomy ptosis surgery and what does it entail?

Have your Oculoplastic surgeon what he/she is going to include in this procedure with regard to fat removal, skin removal, etc.

The upper eyelids commonly droop due to relative weakness of the tendon that raises the upper eyelid.  There can be weakness in the muscle also.  Testing done by the oculoplastic surgeon evaluates the relative contribution of these factors.  The muellers muscle is a thin muscle in the upper eyelid that helps to create that surprised look when we are frightened.  It turns out that removal of a strip of this muscle together with the overlying conjunctiva can help lift up the eyelid.  Testing with drops before surgery predicts the potential response to this surgery with reasonable accuracy.  This is an excellent procedure, and can be comfortably performed for many individuals under local anesthesia with or without light intravenous sedation.  Recovery takes about two weeks.  Persistent swelling in the eyelid means that it is often 6-8 weeks before you see the full effects of surgery.

Conjuntivo-muellerectomy is an effective and popular type of ptosis surgery used to elevate a drooping upper eyelid. 

Conjunctivo-muellerectomy is performed by removing a precise length of 2 of the layers from the back of the upper eyelid.  No skin incision is necessary. It is usually done under a light sedation in as outpatient surgery.  Some oculoplastic surgeons may perform this in the office with local anesthetic.

Your oculoplastic surgeon will be able to help you decide whether this surgery of a different type (such as external levator repair)  is a better option in your case.

Best of Luck,

 

Mark Lucarelli, MD, FACS

Madison, WI