4 Benefits Of Undergoing Ptosis Correction Surgery

Ptosis or droopy eyelids may develop over time, potentially affecting one’s appearance. In cases when the lash-bearing eyelid margin droops down sufficiently, a person’s visual field may be affected. The most severe type of droopy eyelids is when one has to raise their eyebrows or tilt their head back just to be able to see normally. In most situations, surgery will be needed to rectify the issue. Before reviewing the surgical options, let us explore the causes behind the drooping of eyelids.

 

Droopy Eyelids: An Overview of The Common Causes

Droopy eyelids generally stem from natural ageing as the lifting muscles in the eyelid become stretched over time through normal wear and tear until they can no longer lift the upper eyelids. Sometimes, wear and tear may even cause the lifting muscles to become detached form the deeper eyelid tissues at the lid margin area, preventing them from lifting the upper eyelid well. Contact lens wear, various eye surgeries including LASIK and trauma are also risk factors for this structural problem in the lifting muscle that leads to upper lid droop.

Other causes can also induce lid droop, namely neuromuscular disorders like myasthenia gravis or other neurological conditions (e.g. stroke and brain tumour). Some cases may also be present from birth due to poorly developed eyelid muscles.

 

Symptoms of Droopy Eyelids

People with ptosis are mainly concerned with how it affects their appearance as well as their need to constantly raise their eyebrows or chin. Those with severe ptosis, particularly in the elderly age group, have to lift their upper lids up manually in order to read. Many report a feeling of fatigue at the end of the day. Those with ptosis may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Having that tired and sleepy look despite being perfectly alert
  • Feeling a heaviness on the eyelids
  • Constantly raising the eyebrows to lift the eyelid
  • Constantly lifting up the chin to see better
  • Headaches from eye strain and forehead muscle strain

If you suspect that you may have ptosis, a quick way to verify is by comparing a recent photo of you with a past one and checking if the position of your eyelids has changed.

 

How Ptosis Correction Surgery Fixes Droopy Eyelids And Its Benefits

Ptosis correction surgery entails tightening or repair of the levator muscle of the upper eyelid. It is the most effective method of correcting droopy eyelids. This correction can be performed from a skin incision or a posterior conjunctival incision. Most surgeons will have a preferred approach that yields them the best results.

Essentially, whichever the approach, work is done on the levator muscle to strengthen its lift. The surgeon can also take the opportunity to eliminate excess tissue and to create a pleasing crease so that the patient has an improvement to his or her appearance as well.

 

The Key Benefits Of Having Ptosis Correction Surgery

 

1. Say goodbye to sleepy eyes and welcome a rejuvenated look

Ptosis correction increases pupil exposure and opens up the eye, creating a more appealing eye shape and, ultimately, allows one to look well-rested and alert. Moreover, removing excess skin on the upper eyelids reduces the heavy look that comes with puffy lids, giving a more youthful appearance.

 

2. Keep forehead wrinkles at bay

By restoring eyelid muscle function to normal, the levator muscles are once more effective in lifting the upper lid. There is no longer any need to rely on the forehead muscles to keep the eyes open. This reduced dependency eases the strain on the forehead muscles and prevents forehead wrinkles from developing early in life.

 

3. Enhance your field of vision

Besides improved looks, ptosis correction re-establishes the normal field of vision.

 

4. Fix droopy eyelids and recreate double eyelids in one go

Ptosis correction allows good functional improvement in that the visual field is restored. As mentioned above, there is the opportunity to create double eyelids when the wound is being closed. This secondary cosmetic benefit is often the reason why ptosis repair surgery is often mistaken for cosmetic surgery.

 

Conclusion

Droopy eyelids can develop for various reasons and affect people of all ages. If you feel your eyelids are droopy, consider reaching out to the Ava Eye Clinic today for a professional assessment and advice on droopy eyelid correction. Ava Eye Clinic also provides a wide range of ophthalmology services for general eye conditions. Book an appointment with us today for a consultation or an eye screening.

Note: Post-operative results in Singapore can only be viewed during a consultation