How Much Does Ptosis Surgery Cost?
The average cost of ptosis surgery is $3,375, but it can range as high as $8,500, according to 195 reviews from RealSelf members.
Ptosis (pronounced toe-sis) is the Greek word for “falling,” and this surgery corrects drooping of the upper eyelids.
Read on to find out why ptosis surgery costs can vary so much, and whether actual patients think the results are worth what they paid.
What does the cost include?
During your initial consultation, ask for an all-in cost quote that includes:
- The surgeon’s fee
- The facility fee
- Any surgical supplies
- Any necessary medical tests
- Anesthesia fees (if your surgery is complex enough that you need it)
- Follow-up appointments
You can also ask whether you’ll need any recovery supplies, like prescription pain medication, so you can anticipate those costs.
Is ptosis surgery worth the money?
Ptosis surgery has an impressive 88% Worth It Rating on RealSelf. Many reviewers who rated their procedure “Worth It” say ptosis surgery restored their full field of vision and boosted their confidence. "I wish I'd done it sooner" is a common sentiment in positive reviews.
The procedure is usually successful in restoring the appearance and function of the upper eyelid. It’s also the only effective, long-term treatment for ptosis, which tends to worsen over time.
The few reviewers who rated their procedure “Not Worth It” had complications, like serious infections or asymmetry. One reviewer who paid $8,000 in advance of her procedure complained that one of her eyes was operated on by a trainee, rather than a qualified surgeon, and her eyes looked noticeably different post-procedure.
The best way to help ensure your results will be worth it is to ensure that you’ll be operated on by a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon, with years (or even decades) of experience successfully performing this procedure.
What affects the cost of ptosis surgery?
Several factors influence the cost of surgery to correct eyelid ptosis, including:
1) The credentials and experience level of your surgeon
Ptosis surgery is a very nuanced, precise operation, and board-certified surgeons who are highly experienced performing this type of eye surgery will likely charge more for their services.
Though ptosis surgery can have a high success rate (60–95%, depending on the technique), complications—most commonly, placing the lid too high or too low, or creating an unnatural-looking eyelid crease or contour—can occur.
The bottom line: This is not a surgery where you want to cut cost corners, so consider only board-certified plastic surgeons or oculoplastic surgeons, who specialize in eyelid surgery. Some surgeons even perform ptosis surgery on a daily basis.
Revision ptosis surgery can be performed, but in addition to being costly, "the surgery gets more complex each time," says Dr. Mehryar Taban, an oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California.
It's also important to note that ptosis surgery is more technically challenging than cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), so just because a surgeon frequently performs blepharoplasty doesn't mean they're the right surgeon to perform your ptosis surgery.
Before you choose your surgeon, make sure they have a track record of positive reviews from ptosis surgery patients, as well as a robust gallery of before and after photos, including patients who started out with similar concerns.
2) The complexity of your procedure
There are three types of ptosis repair surgery.
- External ptosis repair: The surgeon accesses the levator muscle via an incision in the upper eyelid skin, usually in the crease. Once behind the eyelid, the surgeon repositions the levator muscle and stitches it to connective tissue to create a tighter adhesion.
- Internal ptosis repair: The surgeon turns the upper eyelid inside out and shortens the affected muscle.
- Frontalis suspension: The surgeon attaches a small silicone rod from the levator muscle to the frontalis muscle under the upper eyelid, and the levator and frontalis muscles hold up the eyelid. This is the least-commonly performed procedure.
An experienced surgeon will be familiar with all three techniques and choose the best one for you. The more complex and time-consuming your procedure, the more it’s likely to cost.
Another cost factor is the number of eyelids being treated. Though it may seem like only one eyelid is ptotic, the “normal” lid will sometimes fall after the opposite lid is elevated—something that’s known as Herring’s law. It takes a provider with extensive experience in ptosis repair and eyelid surgery to determine if it would be best to operate on one or both eyelids.
3) Whether you combine ptosis repair surgery with blepharoplasty
Ptosis repair surgery is not the same as a blepharoplasty (aka eyelid lift), a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin and fat in the upper eyelids and/or the lower eyelids.
If you’re a good candidate for both procedures, it's economical to have them performed at the same time. This is especially true since there can be a distinction between an improvement in vision and an improvement in appearance. Sometimes lifting the lid nicely above the pupil can make the skin more redundant. If the appearance of “extra” skin will make you unhappy, you may want to assume some out-of-pocket expense to have a better cosmetic result.
There are several bonuses to combining surgeries into one session. For instance, it costs less than having the procedures done separately because there's just one charge for the surgical facility and anesthesia. Your surgeon may also give you a discount for having multiple plastic surgeries done at the same time. Finally, you only have to undergo one recovery.
4) Where you have your surgery performed
Surgical procedures like this one usually cost more in major cities, which have a higher cost of living. This is especially true if your provider practices in a more expensive part of town where rents are higher, versus in a less exclusive neighborhood.
Ptosis surgery is often performed in an office setting, which means you’d get to skip the facility fee.
If your procedure is more complex, your provider may operate in a private surgery center, which will have a lower facility fee than a hospital operating room.
5) The type of anesthesia you have
This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation, rather than general anesthesia. That’s because it's helpful for patients to be able to open and close their eyes during surgery to help place the eyelids in the right position.
General anesthesia is generally considered overkill for ptosis surgery, unless the patient—such as a kid—is uncooperative, says Dr. Taban. But if your surgeon recommends it, be aware that you’ll pay significantly more for the anesthesia itself, as well as a fee for the anesthesia provider.
Is ptosis surgery covered by insurance?
Whether or not your eyelid ptosis surgery costs will be covered by your insurance or MediCare plan depends on whether it’s deemed medically necessary.
In children, ptosis repair is usually covered by insurance because it can prevent vision problems like amblyopia (lazy eye).
In adults, ptosis (aka blepharoptosis) can develop due to a medical condition, trauma, or, in most cases, simply aging. The levator muscle that lifts your upper eyelid can stretch and weaken with time, so your eyelid doesn't lift properly.
If you just don't like the fact that your droopy eyelids make you look tired or older than your age, your insurance company will consider ptosis surgery an elective cosmetic procedure that’s not covered.
However, your insurance company will likely cover a significant portion of the cost if:
- your ptosis is severe enough to impair your vision and impact, cause eyestrain and headaches, and/or impact your daily activities
- it occurred as a complication of cataract surgery
How much your plan covers depends on your copays and deductibles. It’s a good idea to talk with your insurance company before you book your procedure, so you’ll be able to anticipate your out-of-pocket costs.
They will also need documentation on the impacts of your medical condition from one or more of your providers, to help back up your claim.