For a few years now i have noticed my left eyelid is lower than the right. I don’t believe it was always like this (unless it was very subtle to begin with). From minimal research, i’m not sure if it may be ptosis, extra eyelid skin, or something else. Is there a way to fix this, and what might it be?
Answer
It looks like your left upper eyelid hangs lower over your eye than your right. This is called "ptosis." Your case is mild and is like congenital (you were born with a weaker muscle on that left side) and is just getting worse overtime. There are surgical (ptosis repair) and nonsurgical (upneeq drop) options to fix mild ptosis. I would suggesting seeing an oculoplastic surgeon who will test and offer you either option to help lift the left eyelid to match the height of the right one.
Dr. Lauren D. Mileo, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answer
You have bilateral upper eyelid ptosis with compensatory eyebrow elevation. You just happen to have one eyelid that is heavier than the other (common) and on that side your eyebrow is higher to compensate. Ptosis surgery corrects the eyelid margin position and will allow the compensatory eyebrow elevation to relax. It is important to understand that there are two basic approached to the sort of ptosis that you have. One is called posterior approach ptosis surgery also known as conjunctival Müller's muscle resection ptosis surgery. The other approach is anterior levator resection ptosis surgery. You need anterior levator resection ptosis surgery. That is because you have central levator disinsertion with a high upper eyelid crease. You need your crease lowered and the levator (upper eyelid tendon) strengthened. This should be done bilaterally. I suspect that you may also benefit from lateral canthoplasty. That is some thing that can only be determined on the basis of an in person consultation. Your eyes can be your best feature.
Dr. Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
