What's the average eyelid surgery time for correcting ptosis?

This varies depending on the approach used - external versus internal as well as if skin is being removed concurrently through an external approach.  Also, it depends on the expereince and technique of the surgeon.  That being said, the amount of time it takes to do a surgery does not necessarily reflect the outcome of the surgery!  Go to a surgeon that you trust and has a reputation for good results.  Good luck!

 

While upper eyelid surgery is not a lengthy procedure, it is not a foot race either.  The conjunctival mullerectomy ptosis surgery is a relatively brief procedure.  An anterior levator aponeurosis resections requires additional intraoperative time.  So the exact time of surgery varies with the procedure done and whatever else is needed with surgery.  Prior eyelid surgery results in a more complex dissection.  Removal of skin with the ptosis surgery adds time.  Abnormal bleeding can prolong surgery.  How fast a surgeon is does not correlate with the quality of the surgeon or the surgery.

Ptosis surgery can be done in 2 ways, externally from the outside of the eyelid or internally from the backside of the eyelid.  There are relative benefits of one vs the other, and some surgeons are more experienced in one approach vs the other.  A good oculoplastic surgeon can perform the surgery in about 30 minutes or less for both sides.  If this is done in the operating room, you may have to arrive 30-60 minutes early and they usually keep you in recovery for 30 minutes or so before you are released.

Hope this helps.

 

Jasmine Mohadjer MD

Oculoplastic Surgery

The Eye Institute of West Florida

Tampa Bay, FL