MAKE AN
APPOINTMENT
Phone Mail Location

Ending Ptosis with Skilled Droopy Eyelid Surgery

Living with ptosis, which is a condition in which one or both upper eyelids droops down, can be more than distracting or embarrassing. Droopy eyelids can make a person look tired or older than they really are and can even interfere with vision and lead to other eyesight complications. Whether you have a mild or severe case of ptosis, if you have droopy eyelids, there are treatment options available to make the abnormal position of one or both of your lids a thing of the past!

revisional-eyelid-ptosis-droopy-eyelid-surgery

Dr. Mehryar (Ray) Taban of Taban MD has extensive training and experience treating ptosis and can provide patients with the personalized, effective treatment they need. To learn more about corrective procedures for ptosis (droopy eyelid surgery), please call our Beverly Hills or Santa Barbara office to schedule an appointment. You may also fill out our online patient form and upload photos to help us start creating a individualized ptosis treatment plan as soon as possible.

What Causes Blepharoptosis?

Blepharoptosis, which means to fall or droop, can affect one or both eyes in varying degrees. The condition may cause one eyelid to only droop slightly, and in more severe cases, the droopy eyelid may cover the pupil and block vision. Many patients who suffer from severe cases of eyelid ptosis may even try to lift their droopy eyelid by raising their brow or tilting their head back in order to see, which can lead to headaches and general discomfort.

Eyelid Ptosis may be caused by one or a combination of the following:

Congenital factors – When a child is born with ptosis, the most common cause is a condition called myogenic dysgensis, in which the levator muscles that control the eyelid did not develop correctly and cannot properly support the lid. In some cases, congenital ptosis may be occur when the nerves that control the levator muscle do not function correctly.

Age – It is not uncommon for older individuals to develop ptosis as a result of the levator muscles and surrounding tissue becoming stretched or weakened over time. This process is known as involutional ptosis.  Additionally, weight gain or fatty tissue around the brow can weight the lid down, making it difficult to keep the droopy eyelid fully open.

Trauma – An injury can damage the muscles or tissue around the eye, resulting in a droopy appearance, or the scar tissue can heal unevenly, forcing the lid to lie at a different level on the eye.

Previous Eye Surgery – Ptosis can also be a result of previous eye surgery, such as corrective eye surgery or cataract surgery, in which the levator muscles or nerves that control the lid are damaged.

Systemic Disease – Underlying diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, a brain tumor, stroke, or shingles, can interrupt nerve signals to the eyelids, causing the upper eye fold to sag lower on the eye.

Neurological Disorder – Spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular diseases, such as myasthenia gravis can cause muscle weakness and fatigue, resulting in a droopy eyelid.

How is Eyelid Ptosis Corrected?

The most commonly recommended treatment option for ptosis is a surgical procedure called upper eyelid ptosis surgery or droopy eyelid surgery. The operation involves surgically shortening and reattaching the levator muscles of the eyes to lift the drooping eyelids to a more comfortable, functional, and attractive position. It is important to work with a skilled oculoplastic surgeon who has extensive experience correcting droopy upper eye folds as there are numerous techniques available.

Dr. Taban will determine the best technique for each patient depending on the cause of his or her droopy eyelid. For example, levator resection is a highly effective technique for droopy eyelid surgery in which the ptosis is caused by stretched muscles, while a frontalis sling is typically recommended for congenital ptosis, in which the frontalis forehead muscle is linked to the levator muscle tendon of the eyes.

Choosing an Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon for Droopy Eyelid Surgery

In most cases, droopy eyelid repair is a relatively quick, minimally-invasive procedure, however, it is crucial to work with a surgeon who specializes in ptosis operations. As an oculoplastic surgeon with expertise in ptosis treatment and revisional droopy eyelid surgery, Dr. Taban is double board-certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO), with years of experience performing successful corrective eyelid plastic surgeries, such as ptosis surgery.

To learn more from our satisfied ptosis patients, please visit our Testimonials page.

What is the Recovery Process like for Ptosis Surgery?

A standard eyelid ptosis correction procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in the surgeon’s office. The patient will need only local anesthesia to numb the eyelid, which will allow the patient to respond to the surgeon by opening or closing his or her eye to determine the best alignment and position of the droopy eyelid. Dr. Taban will only make minimal incisions to adjust the muscles and droopy eyelid tissue as needed.

Following the procedure, the patient can expect the eyelid to be swollen and bruised for 1-2 weeks with mild pain for the first day only. The patient will be encouraged to apply cold compresses to the eyelid and to keep his or her head elevated to reduce swelling.

During the first few days, the patient may experience blurry vision as the surgical site heals. The muscles and tissue will feel stiff, and it will be necessary to apply eye drops and lubricating ointment to prevent dryness. This will be necessary for a few weeks after the procedure to help protect the eye.

The final results may take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the individual patient’s healing process. In some cases, surgical adjustments may need to be made if the eyelid heals in such a way that the lid does not rest at a correct height.

Schedule an Appointment at Taban MD for Eyelid Ptosis Correction!

To learn more about potential treatment options for tired, droopy eyes, please do not hesitate to contact Taban MD to schedule a droopy eyelid surgery today!

Next, read Give Your Eyes a Youthful Makeover with Cosmetic Eye Surgery