Eye Lid Surgery FAQs

Eyelid Surgery

Do plastic surgeons carry out eyelid surgery?
Though a number of different surgeons perform cosmetic eyelid surgery, including plastic surgeons, ENT surgeons and maxillofacial surgeons, only oculoplastic surgeons are trained to manage the delicate eye tissues. This is important as the eyelids help protect and maintain the health of your eyes. Therefore oculoplastic surgeons set the correct balance between a great aesthetic outcome and safeguarding the vision and comfort of your eyes. It makes a great deal of sense to entrust an operation involving your eyelids and eyes to a surgeon who concentrates in this field all day long.

What is ptosis of the eyelids?
Ptosis (pronounced TOE-sis) is the term for drooping of the upper eyelid. A person with ptosis may not able to lift one or both upper eyelids completely. In adults over the age of 40 years, the most common cause is the stretching or loosening of the tendon that lifts the upper eyelid. Ptosis can also occur following routine cataract surgery. Ptosis may occur in younger people who use contact lenses.

What are the other causes of ptosis?
Neurologic, neuromuscular, or mechanical causes as well as injuries may cause a droopy eyelid. Ptosis may affect one or both eyes and can be very asymmetrical depending on the underlying cause.

What are the symptoms of ptosis?
Difficulty in reading and driving are common complaints. Patients may also notice a loss of the upper field of vision. Raising the entire brow with the muscles of the forehead and scalp may cause headaches and eyestrain.

How is ptosis corrected?
The most common treatment for ptosis is surgical, and there are a number of possible approaches. The goal is to tighten the tendon so that the lid is elevated to match the lid on the other side, but with a minimum of scars and side effects. Neurologic and neuromuscular cases may improve spontaneously or respond to treatment of the underlying cause.

In adults the surgery is done under local anaesthesia. An incision is made in the upper lid skin crease (almost completely invisible after a few weeks). The levator muscle is identified and re-attached to the lid and the incision closed with very fine sutures.

What happens after ptosis surgery?
A wound dressing, if applied, remains in place overnight. Applying an ice pack for the first 48 hours helps reduce post-operative swelling. You will be prescribed an antibiotic ointment and lubricating eye drops for the first week.

You should be able to read or watch television after one or two days.The patient is usually reviewed 7-10 days post-operatively to make sure the wound is health and remove stitches. A final visit is carried out eight to ten weeks after surgery. Most people feel ready to go out in public (and back to work) in about 10 days. By then, you'll probably be able to wear makeup to hide the bruising that remains.