Ptosis, also commonly known as the drooping eyelid, is a medical condition that causes the upper eyelid to appear sagging. This condition can affect one or both eyes and may lead to other medical and aesthetic issues such as partially or entirely covering the eye causing vision obstruction.
Luckily, ptosis can be addressed at The Esthetic Clinics by a procedure known as ptosis or blepharoptosis surgery to improve the function and appearance of the eyes.
Types of Ptosis
There are two main types of ptosis:
Congenital Ptosis: This type of ptosis occurs right from birth and is often caused by underdeveloped or weak levator muscles. It may affect one or both eyes and usually needs surgical correction while the shield is still young to prevent visual impairment and promote normal development.
Acquired Ptosis: Acquired ptosis, as the name suggests, typically develops at any age of a child or an adult. It may occur due to factors such as aging, eyelid tumors, neurological conditions, and trauma. Treatment can be recommended by a professional like Dr. Debraj Shome depending on the underlying cause.
Ptosis Surgery Treatment Options
Ptosis surgery can be done to improve both vision and aesthetics. However, there are different surgical techniques that can be used depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Some of these techniques include:
Levator Muscle Repair: Levator muscle repair is the most common surgical procedure for ptosis. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision following the natural eyelid crease and tightens or reattaches the levator muscle to lift the eyelid to the appropriate level.
Frontalis Sling: Frontalis sling can be recommended in cases where the levator muscle is severely damaged or weak. The procedure involves attaching the upper eyelid to the forehead muscles, to allow the frontalis muscle to take over the lifting function.
Muller’s Muscle Resection: For mild ptosis, especially when the levator muscle is functioning relatively well, Muller’s muscle resection can be the ideal option. This technique involves removing a small portion of the Muller’s muscle to elevate the eyelid.
Best Blepharoplasty surgeon : The surgeon may suggest combining ptosis surgery with a blepharoplasty, a cosmetic eyelid surgery, to address both functional and aesthetic concerns, especially in cases where aging is a contributing factor to ptosis.
Post-Surgery Management
After ptosis surgery, you are required to carefully follow post-operative instructions, to promote faster recovery and optimal results. Here are some of the main guidelines you should adhere to:
Medication: In most cases, especially the days following the surgery, your doctor will prescribe certain medications such as eye drops or ointments to help prevent infections and keep the eye lubricated during the healing process.
Rest: Rest is highly recommended and an essential factor for proper recovery. You are required to avoid strenuous activities that may cause eye strain, and interfere with the healing process, or worse, cause complications.
Follow-up appointments: Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon will also be scheduled. This is necessary to monitor progress, ensure no risks of complications, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure progressive and optimal healing.
Sun protection: You will also be asked to protect your eyes from excessive sunlight as they may be more sensitive to UV radiation during the healing process.
