Eyelid ptosis is the most common eyelid malposition treatment performed by plastic surgeons. Eyelid ptosis is the medical term for the drooping of one or both upper eyelids. Depending on the severity of the drooping, eyelid ptosis can interfere with vision, blocking the top part of your eyesight. As well as the functional problems this brings, the condition can also cause aesthetic issues that sufferers may want to rectify. Here is a complete guide to what eyelid ptosis is, the causes and the treatments available:
What Is Droopy Eyelid Ptosis
Droopy eyelid or ptosis is when the upper eyelid droops downward due to problems with the levator muscle. In the more severe circumstances, ptosis can cause the upper eyelid to sag enough to obstruct one’s vision.
As well as obstructing vision, persons may also have difficulty keeping their eyelids open, suffer from eye strain, aching eyebrows (caused by an increased effort to raise eyelids), and eye fatigue. The condition is most common in older people but can occur as a birth defect, or as a result of an eye injury.
Causes & Risk Factors of Eyelid Ptosis
Eyelid ptosis can be caused by genetics or progressive damage to the eye that comes with age. Generally speaking, droopy upper eyelids are either present at birth (congenital) or appear later in life (acquired).
Those born with eyelid ptosis suffer from problems in the muscle that lifts the eyelid (the levator muscle). Ptosis puts a child at risk for vision problems as a drooping eyelid can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye), blurry vision and misaligned eyes.
Although possible to develop from birth, the majority of droopy eyelid ptosis cases happen with aging (acquired). Acquired ptosis is due to a defect in the eyelid’s muscles or nerves which naturally occur with aging or injury. This weakening and stretching of the levator aponeurosis (the tissue that connects the levator muscle to the upper eyelid’s supporting structure) is the main reason behind ptosis occurring. The being said, acquired eyelid ptosis can also develop as a side effect of eye surgery or through diseases or tumors.
Treatment of Eyelid Ptosis Surgery
Eyelid surgery is most often the best treatment to rectify drooping eyelids.
The low-risk procedure involves tightening the levator muscles to lift eyelids, giving you an improved vision and aesthetic appearance. The reattachment to the eyelid is performed using sutures, which are hidden under the skin. In more severe cases involving weakened levator muscles, the procedure will instead attach the eyelid under the eyebrow – using the forehead muscles in lifting the eyelid.
To ensure the eyelid ptosis surgery results in an improved functional and cosmetic result eyebrow lift surgery is often performed on both sides.
Eyelid Surgery in Tampa Bay
Our Tampa Bay surgical center can effectively provide eyelid surgery to remove excess skin, fat and tighten levator muscles to remove the drooping nature of ptosis. To learn more about how Dr. Egozi can treat your eyelid ptosis, contact Egozi Plastic Surgery Center today to schedule a consultation!