Ptosis
What is ptosis?
Ptosis is true drooping of the upper eyelid due to weakness of the eyelid (levator) muscle. Some patients think they have a cosmetic problem when they actually have a functional problem such as ptosis. Weakness and stretching of the upper eyelid muscle cause the lid margin to sit at a lower than normal level, often producing a ‘sleepy’ look. When severe, the pupil can be partially or totally covered and obstruct vision. As the muscle is now sitting higher than it should be, it tends to give people a hollowed appearance in the upper lid, and the eyebrows elevate to compensate for the weakened muscle. Reattachment of the muscle will lift the lid, fill in the hollow, and allow the brow to relax to its normal position.
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| Before ptosis surgery | After ptosis surgery |
The surgery
Ptosis is performed under local anaesthetic, with or without sedation, as a day procedure. An incision in the lid is made with a CO2 laser. Excess skin and fat is then removed and the levator muscle is exposed. The detached muscle is then reattached to its normal position with absorbable sutures and the skin is then sutured. These skin sutures will be removed approximately six days later. Both upper lids usually require surgery at the same time to assure symmetry.
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| Before ptosis surgery | Immediately after ptosis surgery |
Ptosis surgery combined with blepharoplasty
When repairing the levator muscle, Dr Lamb may also perform a blepharoplasty if excess skin or fat is present. In other words, all Dr Lamb’s functional patients will have a successful cosmetic result. As ptosis is predominantly functional, the surgery will attract a benefit from your private health insurance and Medicare. Dr Lamb does not usually charge for this cosmetic component of ptosis surgery.
Ptosis is under-diagnosed by health professionals to the point that it is almost considered a normal appearance for older people. In children, ptosis can either be congenital or acquired due to injury or illness, but Dr Lamb refers these cases to a paediatric ophthalmologist.
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| Before ptosis surgery | After ptosis surgery |
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| Before right ptosis surgery | After right ptosis surgery |