Do I have proptosis or ptosis? (photos)

Question

I am confused between proptosis or ptosis. Sometimes I feel I have a droopy eyelid and other times I feel one eye is popping out causing my eyes to be uneven.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Ptosis means your upper eyelids are droopy.  That is your condition. Your eyes are skeletonize by your levator disinsertion.  This caused retraction of orbital fat into the orbit. In addition you have a profound brow compensatory elevation. This makes it appear that you have upper no upper eyelid fold. Which ptosis surgery you have will make a big difference for you. The most popular approach to ptosis surgery is the posterior approach called a Mueller's muscle conjunctival resection.  This surgery will not work for you.  You need an anterior levator resection ptosis surgery with anchor blepharoplasty. You need a detailed personal consultation.  These surgeries are performed under light intravenous sedation. Typically it is about 10 days before people return to work.

Charles S. Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

You have worse ptosis on the left side. The muscle is slightly disinserted from its attachment, causing the droop. The brows will pull upward to assist in eye-opening. This also causes the fat to get sucked up under the brow bone, hollowing it out. You also have ptosis to a lesser extent on the right eye - less noticeable because it's more subtle. You need both eyes corrected through an incision approach to reconnect the eyelid muscle to the cartilage, even out the crease, and place the fat back into the normal position.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

You definitely ptosis, which is worse in left eye. That is droopy upper eyelid.In regards to bulging eyes, it is a relative issue. You do have relatively protruding eyes which are more pronounced due to hollowness around the eyes.Treatment is possible.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and posting your photographs. You probably have ptosis. This can be determined with certainty by an in-person Oculoplastic Surgeon. Make an appointment for comprehensive evaluation and discussion of treatment options. Good luck,

Kami K. Parsa, MD · Answer

Excellent question. We need a full in person examination to determine the reason for your eyelid asymmetry. A picture is not a sufficient way to give you my final impression. For more information visit our website. We have helped thousands of patients with eyelid asymmetry.

Jean-Paul Abboud, MD, PhD · Answer

Hello mujerlatina97, 
Thank you for your question.  Judging by the photographs alone, it appears you most likely have ptosis of the left upper eyelid, due to a "slipped" levator muscle (i.e., the muscle that helps open your eyes).  This in turn has caused your lid crease to become attenuated and has caused the fat to recede, giving a somewhat hollow appearance.  
However, there are other causes of eye/eyelid asymmetry, which I personally look for during the assessment of a patient, including proptosis.  For this reason, I strongly encourage you to see an ASOPRS-trained oculoplastic surgeon for a thorough evaluation before any surgical correction. 
Best of luck!

Jordan Spindle, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
Proptosis is when your eye is being pushed forward or "straight outwards" most commonly seen in people with Grave's Disease 
Ptosis is a drooping of the eyelid that can be caused by a number of reason.
It is difficult to evaluate proptosis from a photo as you really need side views and bottom up views to get a full look at all sides.
I hope that helps!

Do I have proptosis or ptosis? (photos)

Answers (7)

More Ptosis Surgery Questions

Will insurance cover ptosis revision surgery?

Is it possible to perform a reverse ptosis?

Surgery to correct hereditary ptosis, uneven/droopy eyelids and negative canthal tilt and close set eyes? (photos)

Peak in the right upper lid after ptosis repair on both eyes. Left looks good, only day 10 but really worried, what should I do?

Does Medicaid insurance cover ptosis surgery?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS