Droopy eyelids, or to use the medical term, ptosis, is a condition that can be acquired, or it may be congenital(at birth). The actual cause of congenital ptosis is not known.
Ptosis occurs when the muscles that lift the eyelid are simply not strong enough to do so. It can occur in one or both eyes, and is also more commonly encountered as an age-related process in which the muscle either detaches or weakens.
It may be caused by damage or trauma to the muscle that lifts the eyelid, damage to the nerve which operates the muscle, or damage to the sympathetic ganglion. It may also be an indication of underlying diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, a brain tumor, diabetes, and a pancoast tumor. Ptosis can also be a result of a chronic inflammation. In addition, it is now thought that long-term wearing of contact lenses may be a cause in some cases.
Droopy eyelids can also be caused by drug abuse, in particular heroin, and can also be a side effect of morphine, and oxycodone.
Ptosis can be a minor inconvenience, or in some instances cause loss of vision, if the eyelid covers a part of the pupil. One of the cosmetic effects that upsets many people is that they can appear tired and sleepy, even though they are not. It also makes the sufferer look older. In addition, ptosis in one eyelid may differ from ptosis in the other, which gives the face a look that is asymmetrical.
The result of this is to cause many patients concern about appearing in public, and they may become withdrawn, and even housebound.
What Can Be Done About Droopy Eyelids?
Ptosis can be repaired by surgery on the upper eyelids, the object of which is to restore correct vision in the case of serious malfunction of the muscle, or levator, and to make the patient’s face appear more youthful, and in the case of asymmetry, more balanced.
The procedure has been in existence for many years, but over time has been developed and refined, so that the outcome today results in the patient looking younger, and – most importantly – feeling confident about his or her appearance once more. The sleepy, tired and aged look will be gone, and the face will present a more refreshed and invigorated appearance.
Can Any Surgeon Perform This Treatment?
When considering having surgery on the eyelids, and/or around them it is necessary to consult a specialist in oculofacial surgery. There are multiple possible outcomes, and each patient will present differently. Not only are no two eyes the same, neither are any two patients. In addition, every face is slightly asymmetrical, and this must be taken into account by the surgeon.
The treatment is extremely precise and delicate, and must be carried out by someone who has undergone the specialist training required and has, in addition, many years of experience in the procedures.
Perhaps a comparison might be that, if you owned a Ferrari, you would not take it to the local one man auto engineer down the street for its’ service. You would take it to a Ferrari dealership, where you know that the mechanics have been fully trained by the manufacturers.
Exactly the same thing applies to your eyes. You only have two of them, so it is vital to consult an expert.
What Is The Procedure For Surgery On Droopy Eyelids?
The initial procedure is to have an in depth consultation with your chosen oculofacial surgeon. The surgeon will want to ascertain the cause of your droopy eyelids, and plan exactly what needs to be done during the operation. This will include a number of factors, such as the eye’s shape, skin tone, muscle tone, facial symmetry, and the position of the eyebrow. In addition to this, the surgeon will consider the position of the eyeball in relation to the bones of the face, and any other problems, such as dry eye.
Dr Sami, of Houston Oculofacial Plastic Surgery has years of experience performing surgery to restore that youthful look to patients suffering from droopy eyelids, and takes every care to ensure that her procedures are carried out exactly in accordance with her pre-operative plans, in order to ensure that every patient gets nothing but the finest results.
In addition to performing surgery to correct droopy eyelids, other procedures can be carried out at the same time. These can include eyebrow lift, correction of eyelid malposition, and blepharoplasty.
The procedure is carried out either under local anesthetic, or light intravenous sedation.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Surgery For Droopy Eyelids?
Local bruising and swelling lasting for a week to ten days should be expected.
In addition, there is the risk of infection at the site of the incision, and there is also the possibility that the patient could have an inability to close the eyelid completely; this could be just temporary, but in rare instances may be permanent.
Surgery to correct droopy eyelids will not remove bags under the eyes.
Advantages of oculofacial surgery to correct ptosis are that it can improve vision in patients with a severe condition, it lifts and tightens the skin, and will provide a much more attractive and youthful appearance.
Why Do I Need An Expert For Eyelid Surgery?
Interviewed by Eyenet Magazine in November 2012, Dr Christine C. Nelson who is a highly respected Professor of Surgery and also Ophthalmology in Ann Arbor, was discussing how much a surgeon may wish to elevate the eyelid.
She was quoted as saying that every surgeon uses slightly different procedures, and that even though at the end of surgery the distance was 2 mm, when the patient returned a week later after some healing, it might only be 1 mm. She said that each surgeon had to figure out exactly what to do, and that it could be up to 100 procedures before it became second nature.
It follows from this that you really do need a surgeon who has performed the procedure many times, in order to be certain of the finest outcome.
For an initial free consultation about corrective surgery for droopy eyelids, you can contact Dr Sami by clicking on the Contact Us link at the top of the page.
