Ptosis surgery for droopy eyelids

When someone hasptosis, ptosis surgery is often the only method of gaining a more normal level of eyelid lift.

Most people who have mildptosis symptomsdo not require surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for patients whose vision is affected by droopy eyelids or those who choose to get it for cosmetic purposes.

In general, ptosis is corrected usingone of three surgical procedures. An oculoplastic surgeon will base the decision on whichtype of ptosisyou have, how severe it is and how your eyelid muscles are being affected.

When severechildhood ptosisorcongenital ptosisis present, surgery is often recommended before eyelid drooping starts to affect their eyesight.

Two of the three methods of eyelid correction are classified as ablepharoplasty, and they involve strengthening thelevatormuscle responsible for keeping the upper eyelid open. For this reason, they’re also known aslevator resectionprocedures. The third type targets an area around the eyebrows instead of the eyelids.

External ptosis surgery

External levator resectionis the most common type of ptosis surgery. This form of blepharoplasty can also be calledlevator advancement.

“External” refers to the way a surgeon approaches the levator muscle. After they make an incision in the front of the eyelid skin, they shorten the levator muscle by reattaching it to thetarsus— the connective tissue inside the eyelid.

术后恢复后,病人应该be able to lift the affected eyelids to a much more normal height.

The external approach is often performed under sedation instead of general anesthesia, similar to what you might expect during a root canal or wisdom teeth removal.

Internal ptosis surgery

Internal levator resectionsurgery can be similar to external surgery but with a different way of accessing the eyelid muscles. Instead of operating through the top-side eyelid skin, the surgeon shortens the muscle from the underside of the eyelid.

During internal ptosis surgery, the surgeon will target the levator muscleorMueller’s muscle, which is attached to the levator. Which muscle is selected depends on the patient’s individual case of ptosis. Mueller’s muscle is often chosen when the amount of drooping is more moderate and doesn’t require quite as much correction.

喜欢外部方法,内部的方法can also be performed under sedation, but the surgeon may opt for general anesthesia instead.

SEE RELATED:Causes of ptosis

Frontalis suspension surgery

A third option for ptosis surgery may be recommended when the eyelid’s muscle function is severely weakened.

During frontalis suspension, the levator muscle is not targeted. Instead, a tiny silicone sling is used to connect the eyelid to the muscle above the eyebrows called thefrontalismuscle. The goal of frontalis suspension is not to improve eyelid muscle function, but instead to allow the patient to lift their eyelid(s) with the muscles in their forehead.

General anesthesia is almost always used due to the increased complexity of the procedure.

Ptosis surgery recovery time

After surgery, you can usually go back to normal activities within 1-2 weeks, according to theAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Some bruising is normal up to two weeks after the procedure, and some swelling is normal for several weeks.

Ptosis surgery is ultimately meant to be permanent. However, muscles in the eyelid are very delicate, so it’s easy for surgeons to correct eyelid drooping too much or too little.One studyreported that, after six months of recovery, 19% of patients experienced some degree of overcorrection, while 7% reported undercorrection.

Because of the complexity of ptosis correction, some patients need more treatment in the future. Follow-up treatment can be as simple as regularly massaging the area, but in some cases, additional surgery is needed.

Is ptosis surgery covered by health insurance?

While every health insurance plan varies, there are two rules of thumb when it comes to ptosis correction.

If eyelid drooping affects your vision, or could affect it without treatment, then ptosis surgery will likely be covered by health insurance. If your condition is strictly cosmetic and doesn’t otherwise affect your overall health, it’s unlikely that your health insurance provider will cover the cost of the procedure.

Always check with your provider beforehand to make sure you’re covered.

With health insurance, the cost of ptosis surgery will rely on several factors, including your coverage, deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, in addition to facility, surgeon and anesthesiologist charges. Without insurance coverage, your cost will depend wholly on facility and doctor charges. These can be difficult to get a hold of before the actual procedure.

Since surgery costs in the U.S. can rise into the tens of thousands of dollars, it’s important to consult with your insurance provider, facility and any doctors who will be involved in your operation. This will help you avoid any surprise charges after surgery.

Consult with an eye doctor

If you experience any new eyelid drooping, make sure to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Droopy eyelids can be harmless, but they can also signal a more serious condition. If you’re experiencing thesymptoms of stroke, seek medical treatment right away.

You should also always talk to an eye doctor before trying anyptosis home remediesor otherptosis treatments.

If you’ve already beendiagnosed with ptosis,眼科医生或者oculoplastic外科医生be able to assess your condition and help you decide whether surgery is the best option for you.

READ MORE:What is floppy eyelid syndrome?

Page published in September 2020

Page updated in January 2021