Eyelid ptosis, commonly known as droopy eyelids, affects millions of people around the world. This condition might go unnoticed if it has a slow onset. In most people, however, the droopiness is quickly identified. This happens because the person notices a decrease in their vision when performing certain tasks, such as reading or driving. Others notice that one eye looks smaller in photographs. But eyelid ptosis doesn’t just affect a person’s vision, it may also affect their appearance! In today’s blog, we will talk about the causes and alternative treatments for people who suffer this common eyelid condition.
What causes droopy eyelids?
Before we talk about the causes of eyelid ptosis, it is important to differentiate betwen true ptosis and excess upper eyelid skin. True ptosis happens when the eyelid falls and rests in a lower position in primary gaze, i.e., when looking straight ahead. Excess upper eyelid skin, on the other hand, hangs over the eyelashes and gives the appearance of a droopy eyelid. However, when the examiner temporarily moves the excess skin away from the eyelid margin, he can determine that the eyelid height is normal, meaning there is no ptosis. This condition is called dermatochalasis. Nevertheless, both conditions (ptosis and dermatochalasis) may convey a tired or worn-out appearance.
Droopy eyelids (true ptosis) may be caused by several factors. All factors affect either the muscle whose function is to raise the upper eyelid (the levator muscle) or a tendon-like structure that reinforces the muscle (the aponeurosis). The muscle itself is not the problem in most cases of eyelid ptosis. Instead, the tendon-like structure that helps the muscle perform its function has become weak. This condition affects men and women of all ages, although it is more common in older adults. On the other hand, when a person is born with a droopy eyelid (congenital ptosis), the muscle itself is usually the culprit. In these cases, the levator muscle is either infiltrated with fatty tissue or it is scarred. Regardless of the cause, droopy eyelids can be a true nuisance to the person who has them.
How do you fix a droopy eyelid?
There are many ways to raise a droopy eyelid, most of which are surgical. The best option depends on the cause of the ptosis: aponeurotic vs. congenital. If the ptosis is acquired, i.e., it appeared after adolescence, the best option is to perform a levator advancement procedure. This procedure consists of reinforcing the tendon-like structure that attaches the muscle to the skin. Levator advancement surgery is one of the most frequently performed operations by eyelid specialists. It is an outpatient surgery done under local anesthesia and mild sedation. Droopy eyelid surgery is usually painless and does not leave a visible scar.
Congenital ptosis, meaning that the person was born with a droopy eyelid, must be approached in a completely different manner. These cases are harder to correct, but there are several alternatives to achieve good results. One of the best ways to raise the eyelid is to shorten the muscle through an operation called levator resection. Levator resection is a more delicate surgery and it has a longer recovery period. Some patients experience significant pain after this operation.
Droopy eyelid surgery in Costa Rica
Droopy eyelids are very common and quite bothersome to the people who suffer from the condition. If one or both of your eyelids are droopy, we have the best solution to correct the problem. Our eyelid surgeon has performed thousands of these procedures with great results. You do not have to live with a droopy eyelid for the rest of your life. Ptosis surgery is a safe and effective alternative to improve your vision and enhance your appearance!
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