Everything You Need to Know About Ptosis Repair

Ptosis is the term used to describe a condition of drooping upper eyelid. Upper eyelid of one eye or upper eyelids of both the eyes can droop, if the eyelid muscles that help raise the eyelid become weak, or if the nerves that control those muscles are damaged. Sometimes, the skin of the upper eyelid becomes loose and droops over the eye.

The medical term for eyelid surgery is blepharoplasty. Ptosis repair surgery helps lift the droopy upper eyelids. Excess skin and fat is removed surgically and the function of the eyelid muscle is improved. Sometimes, the droop is barely noticeable. In some rare cases, the lid can be seen descending over the entire pupil.

As ptosis is an eye problem, only an eye surgeon or an expert physician can determine the underlying cause of the drooping eyelid, after proper examination. Age-related ptosis can be repaired by a plastic surgeon by lifting the eyelid surgically. For congenital ptosis, doctor may recommend a prompt corrective surgery to prevent the condition from worsening.

Ptosis treatment depends upon its underlying cause, for example, whether it is caused by a muscle disease, a neurological disease or an eye illness. With proper medication, the symptoms of myasthenia gravis disappear for some period (the disease goes into remission).

In other cases, when the symptoms are severe, a surgery to tighten the levator muscles and to lift the eyelid is suggested.

The surgery can offer you improved vision and appearance. The surgeon may attach the eyelid to the skin under the eyebrow in case of severely weakened levator muscles. The forehead muscles may play the role of levator muscles and may help lift the eyelid. Sometimes, more than one operation is required to correct the eyelid movement and the eyelids may look asymmetrical. If ptosis of the eye is left untreated, it can result in diminished vision or lifetime poor vision.

It is difficult to estimate the average cost of the ptosis repair surgery accurately. The surgeon has to examine you and has to finally come up with a surgical plan that suits you. The surgery comprises three costs: anesthesia fees, facility fees and surgeon fees.

The total cost can be around $2,000 to $4,000 or more, depending on the extent of the ptosis and the procedure. Some of the cost of the surgery is usually covered by insurance. Blepharoplasty for purely cosmetic reasons is not covered by insurance. You should always ask your surgeon in advance, about filing for insurance.

As eye is a delicate organ, eyelid surgery after-care is very important for getting better results. After the surgery, the upper eyelid may not fully 'express' the lift until all the internal inflammation disappears. Generally, about three to six weeks are necessary for the effect of a eyelid repair surgery to become fully apparent.

Some patients experience longer recovery periods (3-6 months). Therefore, the decision to re-operate should not be made hurriedly. Sometimes, the condition worsens by over-correction or under correction, or due to irregular lid shape or asymmetry between the two sides. Utmost eye care is an essential part of the recovery procedure.

The patient may complain about tightness around the operated area. Sufficient rest should be provided to the eyes. The doctor may prescribe pain killers. Patience and determination is required to see the gradual transformation happening.

Causes of Drooping Eyelid

• Aging is the main cause of ptosis but young children may also suffer from this disorder. If ptosis is present at the time of birth, the condition is called congenital ptosis.
• An eye injury can result in low lying eyelid or ptosis can be seen as an effect of a cataract or an eye surgery.

• Drooping eyelid is one of the main symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG), an autoimmune disease. Nerve functioning test may be done if the doctor suspects that the cause behind ptosis is MG. As the levator muscles that help lift eyelids become weak, the eyelid droops.

• A neurological disorder called oculomotor nerve palsy, Horner's syndrome can lead to ptosis and vision problems.
• A systemic disease like diabetes, a flaw in the person's facial anatomy, multiple sclerosis, etc. can affect the eyelid muscles adversely.

• Development of an eye tumor which can compress a nerve can cause drooping of an eyelid.
• Cancer (even a tumor in the apex of a lung), stroke, or a tumor in brain increase the chances of having ptosis, as the tumors can affect the nerve or muscle reactions significantly.

• Drooping eyelid, increased tearing and vision problem are the main symptoms of ptosis.
• People with ptosis generally tilt their heads back as they try to see under the lid.
• These people are found raising their eyebrows repeatedly as they try to lift the eyelids.

The severity of droopiness may vary from person to person. The severity of the symptoms may change during the day, depending upon the fatigue and effects of drugs. Surgery is the best treatment option for ptosis.

Ptosis surgery involves operating a delicate organ like eye. It requires precision and accuracy. Surgical shortcomings, if any, will be easily visible after the surgery. So, the patient should opt for a combined blepharoplasty-ptosis repair surgery, and it should be performed by an expert and experienced surgeon, who knows the most current techniques and processes of both cosmetic and corrective eyelid surgeries.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.