Ptosis is droopiness of the upper eyelid margin where the lashes come out and hit the colored part of the eye or the iris. Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery specialists assess ptosis in Peoria by measuring the upper eyelid margin and comparing its relationship to the pupil or the black part of the eye.

What causes ptosis?

Some children infants are born with droopy lids. A significant part of the population may be born with mild congenital ptosis that may need to be corrected early. Most adults with this condition seek treatment mainly to improve their appearance.

What is the treatment of ptosis?

A doctor may perform a frontalis suspension to correct ptosis. This treatment involves attaching a silicone band to the connective tissue of the eyelid and then securing that to the frontalis or forehead muscle. When the child elevates their brow, it helps lift the lid. However, that procedure is reserved primarily for people with congenital ptosis, young children with poor muscle function, an inherited disorder.

The grand majority of ptosis repaired droopy eyelid surgery is performed in older patients where the connective tissue that holds the eyelid up stretches out. A specialist can make an incision in the folded crease of the upper eyelid, find that muscle, advance it, and then put stitches in it to shorten the length of the tendon, which in turn raises the lid.

Does blepharoplasty help correct droopy eyelids?

Ptosis treatment is commonly employed in conjunction with blepharoplasty and brow surgery because when specialists elevate the lid, it causes a redundancy or a fold in the skin. Therefore, to avoid that redundancy, it is not uncommon to move some excess eyelid skin simultaneously.

What is the importance of ptosis physical examination?

Your doctor needs to perform a thorough evaluation that will help determine what treatment will best suit a patient in terms of recovery for a ptosis correction. If an incision line is completed in the lid crease of the upper eyelid, your doctor may use absorbable sutures. However, permanent sutures sometimes also work.

What should you expect after ptosis treatment?

The sutures will require removal in one to two weeks following surgery. Moreover, patients that undergo ptosis correction can expect to have bruising and swelling for approximately two to three weeks following surgery. Sometimes your doctor may not know the final height of the eyelid for about six weeks following surgery because there can be some internal swelling. Therefore, postoperative visits are essential to ensure that the incision is healing correctly and that the patient has attained their desired results.

Although ptosis treatment is straightforward, care personalization is essential to ensure that patients get specific results. Droopy eyelids can negatively impact a person’s self-esteem, and finding the proper treatment for you might be what you need to improve your appearance. Contact Arizona Ocular & Facial Plastic Surgery to learn more about ptosis by scheduling an appointment with your doctor.