Ptosis surgery in general has a high success rate of 95% for treating droopy or asymmetrical eyelids in one sitting.
Are There Any Risk with Ptosis Surgery? Risks related to the ptosis surgery include under correction (eyelid too low), over correction (eyelid too high), eye exposure, scarring, infection, bleeding, excessive scarring and undesirable cosmetic result. Ptosis surgery is performed in ways to minimize these risks.
The most common complications of ptosis surgery involve placing the lid too high or too low or creating an unnatural-looking lid crease or contour.
Surgery to elevate the eyelid can correct ptosis in most people. NYU Langone doctors may recommend surgery if a droopy eyelid is significantly affecting your ability to see, or if your vision is not compromised but you would like to correct the eyelid for cosmetic reasons.
If vision is not affected, surgery can wait until age 3 to 4 when the child has grown a little bigger. In severe cases, surgery is needed right away to prevent "lazy eye" (amblyopia).
Your eyelid may be swollen and bruised for 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. The appearance of your eye may continue to get better for 1 to 3 months. Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work in about 10 to 14 days.
The operation usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on whether the operation involves both of your upper eyelids. Your surgeon will usually make a cut on the natural skin crease of your eyelid.
Results. Many people who have blepharoplasty say they feel more self-confident and feel they look younger and more rested. For some people, surgery results may last a lifetime.
The main culprit that causes droopy eyelids after surgery appears to be the speculum used to pull back a patient's lids and keep the eye accessible for the procedure, said Erin M. Shriver, M.D., assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
In most children with untreated congenital ptosis, the condition is fairly stable and doesn't get worse as the child grows, but the child should visit your eye specialist annually. In people with age-related ptosis, however, the drooping can increase gradually over time.
During the surgery you will be awake so that the surgeon can ask you to open and close the eyes to help place the lids in the right position.
Perhaps one of the most recognisable celebrities with ptosis is the actor Forest Whitaker. In his case he was born with the condition and it affects only his left eye. Thom Yorke, the frontman of Radiohead, also has ptosis in his left eye. This was caused by surgery for a paralysed eyelid which went wrong.
This is an anti-aging treatment rather than a medical treatment, so it may not be covered by insurance. For some adults, blepharoplasty will restore sight and can be considered a medical treatment for ptosis. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that the average cost of blepharoplasty is $3,022.
After the eyelid has been lifted, this may cause your eye not to close all the way while blinking, or even remain open while sleeping. This can lead to reflex oversecretion of tears. Fortunately, this is usually temporary and may resolve completely after several months.
Adults get ptosis (called involutional or acquired ptosis) when the levator muscle stretches or separates away from their eyelid. This can be caused by aging or an eye injury. Sometimes ptosis happens as a side effect after certain eye surgery.
After eyelid surgery, it may take about two to three weeks for your vision to return to normal. During the first few days, you may have blurry and double vision caused by eyelid swelling that is usually temporary.
It is important to avoid straining your eyes during the recovery process. Try to avoid reading, watching TV, or checking your email the week following your blepharoplasty. Instead, give your eyes a chance to rest. Avoid any other activities that can cause your eyes to dry up, too.
Some patients are ready for eyelid surgery in their 30s, while others won't need it for a few decades more. There is no upper age window for blepharoplasty.
Eyelid surgery is not recommended for people with hypothyroidism, Grave's disease, dry eye syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma or retinal detachment. Your surgeon will evaluate any excess skin or fat around your eyelid area, the position of your eyebrows and the muscles around your eyelids.
Look Younger with a Blepharoplasty
In some cases, it can even make you look older than you are. By improving the appearance of droopy or sagging skin, your eyes will look younger. In addition to this, your entire face will look more youthful.
Essentially all patients with ptosis will complain, if prompted, that their ptosis is worse toward the end of the day simply because their frontalis muscles tire out from raising the brows to clear the visual axis. Patients with MG will usually report that their ptosis changes throughout the day and also changes sides.
Ptosis Repair vs. Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery: The Main Differences. Unlike blepharoplasty, which is considered a cosmetic procedure, ptosis repair is primarily functional. Ptosis repair tightens or shortens the eyelid muscle so that it can once again lift and open the eyelid adequately.
Can I Have a Second Droopy Eyelid Operation? Yes, revisional ptosis surgery is often performed to correct or improve upon a previous eyelid surgery that did not provide satisfactory results.
The scar may seem a bit thickened & red for 6 to 12 weeks, becoming almost invisible after that period. Not every scar heals equally well. A thickened or reddened scar can be improved with silicone scar remodelling gel, but the treatment needs to be continued for months to have a good result.