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Droopy Eyelid Correction: Ptosis Surgery

Ptosis is the medical term for drooping upper eyelids. Patients with ptosis often have difficulty keeping their eyelids open. In severe cases, they may have to lift their eyelids with their fingers in order to see. Ptosis surgery is different from a blepharoplasty procedure, which removes puffy fat or extra eyelid skin.

Who is an Ideal Candidate? | Procedure Description | Recuperation and Healing | What to Expect (Results) | Insurance Coverage

Who is an Ideal Candidate?

Anyone with droopy eyelids, or who wants to correct a droopy appearance around the eyes that may interfere with vision.
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Procedure Description

Surgery to correct ptosis is designed to reattach the stretched muscle back to its normal location.
Eyelid ptosis surgery is usually done under local anaesthesia with IV sepation.
A short incision is made in the natural skin crease and the eyelid raising muscle (the levator palpebrae superioris) is identified and reattached to the eyelid cartilage (tarsal plate).
Dissolving sutures are used inside the lid and on the skin.

Recuperation and Healing

There is moderate swelling and bruising for 2-3 days which resolves over several weeks.
You should apply cold compresses after your surgery.
There is usually minimal discomfort controlled with oral prescription medication.
Refrain from heavy lifting or rigorous activity for seven to 10 days after surgery,
The sutures should dissolve on their own in seven to 10 days.

What to Expect (Results)

Elevation of the upper eyelid allows to achieve normal visual development with a full field of vision as well as symmetry with the opposite upper eyelid.
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Insurance Coverage

Insurance will often cover upper eyelid surgery if:

You notice the eyelids blocking your vision
This is demonstrated on a photograph
Your lids show enough loss of vision on a visual field testing
The visual fields and photos meet your insurance company's specific criteria