What is Ptosis?

Ptosis refers to drooping of the upper eyelid, which can be present in one or both eyes. It can interfere with vision by affecting the top part of the visual field and may also be a cosmetic problem.

Ptosis most commonly occurs with ageing, but can also be present from birth (congenital). It can also be caused by long-term contact lens wear, trauma, eye surgery (including cataract surgery) and occasionally neurological or muscle disease.

Why have Ptosis Surgery?

A droopy eyelid may affect you cosmetically, giving you an aged, tired appearance and surgery is commonly combined with upper eyelid blepharoplasty. It may cause you problems with your vision. You may have difficulty keeping your eyelids open, eyestrain or eyebrow ache.

How is Ptosis treated?

The most common ptosis operation involves re-attaching the muscle that raises the lid. The surgery usually takes place under local anaesthetic (injections to numb the eyelid skin) in the operating suite. An incision is made in the natural crease of your upper eyelid. The skin incision is closed with sutures that are usually removed one week after surgery. The eyelid scars fade with time and are normally barely visible after some months. Ptosis surgery is often combined with removing excess skin in the upper eyelid (blepharoplasty). The surgery can also be performed through the underside of your eyelid with no outside scar.

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FAQs

  • At your consultation, I will discuss your individual needs and the results you hope to achieve. I will examine your eyelids and face and take some measurements and photographs. It can be helpful if you have old photographs as well.

    I offer a bespoke, tailored service and treatment will be offered on this basis. I will go through the risks and benefits of any proposed procedure.

    A clinic letter and/or pre-care document will be sent to you after the clinic visit and, once you have read all the information, you can decide how you wish to proceed.

  • Medications such as aspirin, clopidrogel and warfarin can make bleeding more likely during and after surgery. If you are taking these drugs, please tell us and we can advise you whether to continue them.

    It is advisable to stop anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, fish oil, ginger, ginseng and garlic-containing supplements, two weeks before surgery.

    If you smoke, we would recommend you stop smoking for at least three weeks prior and two weeks after surgery, as smoking impairs wound healing and increases the risk of infection.

    Avoid alcohol intake in the days before and after surgery.

    On the day of surgery, please dress casually and wear a top which buttons at the front. Please wash your face on the morning of surgery and ideally men should shave. Do not wear any makeup, jewellery or contact lenses.

  • The eyes are not usually padded. Cold compresses are applied almost immediately and are continued for five days. The wound may have steristrips applied to it over the sutures.

    You will be given antibiotic ointment and/or lubricant drops to use and a follow up clinic appointment will be arranged about a week later for the sutures to be removed.

    You will be given a more detailed post-care document with guidance for the post-operative period.

  • You will usually need about one week off work. Try to avoid driving for a few days after the operation.

    The eyelids will be bruised and swollen. Bruising will take up to two weeks to settle. Swelling is greatly reduced after two weeks but may not completely resolve for three months.

  • Ptosis surgery is generally a safe and effective aesthetic treatment. Like any surgical procedure there are risks albeit low.

    In all patients bruising and swelling is expected which is not permanent and will subside after several days or weeks.

    Watery or dry eyes and temporary blurred vision are also common for some weeks after the procedure.

    A detailed discussion of all the possible risks and complications is made at the preoperative consultation. I will provide you with detailed written information summarising these discussions as part of the consent process.

    If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to book a consultation here.