Droopy eyelids are a very common condition, affecting people of all ages and ethnicities. A droopy eyelid does not just affect a person’s vision, but also their appearance and their self-esteem. Droopy eyelids make a person look tired or aged. In terms of visual health, they can decrease the field of vision, making it difficult to perform certain tasks, such as reading or driving.
A droopy eyelid, also known as eyelid ptosis, should not be confused with lose upper eyelid skin, or dermatochalasis. True eyelid ptosis is caused by weakening of a muscle that raises the upper eyelid, while dermatochalasis refers to eyelid skin hanging over the lashes. In the former, the eyelid muscle has to be reinforced to correct the visual obstruction; in the later, excess skin has to me removed surgically.
Eyelid ptosis is manifested by a descent of the upper eyelid margin, which results in obstruction of the eye. The patient has trouble opening his/her eyelids, especially in the afternoon or after working in front of a computer. This results in eye strain and fatigue. Many patients notice how their eyes start to droop during the course of the day.
Generally speaking, droopy eyelids are caused by three main factors: weakness of the muscle that raises the upper eyelid, damage to the nerves that control that muscle, or excessive skin on the upper eyelid. Once again, the latter is not true eyelid ptosis, because the muscle per se is working properly. The most frequent cause of true ptosis is weakness of the muscle that raises the eyelid, due to the natural process of aging. However, there is a congenital variant, where the patient is born with weak muscles. Finally, eyelid ptosis may result from eyelid trauma or it may be secondary to previous surgeries in or around the eye.
It is possible for droopy eyelids to go unnoticed, because it is a slow process that can take years to affect vision. However, if the ptosis is asymmetrical, i.e., it only affects one eye, it is very hard to miss it. Very frequently, the person realizes that one of their eyes looks droopy in photographs.
A very successful procedure
There is a surgical procedure specifically designed to raise droopy eyelids: ptosis surgery. The success achieved with this surgery has made it an ideal option to improve the appearance of those who suffer from this condition. The operation consists of removing excess upper eyelid skin and correcting muscle weakness. A skin incision is made in such a way as to make it imperceptible after surgery. Next, the eyelid muscle is isolated and sutured back to its natural position. The skin is closed with very fine non-absorbable sutures that are removed 6 days after the operation. This procedure may be combined with aesthetic lower eyelid surgery, if desired by the patient.
Ptosis surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure. The surgery may take one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case. Local anesthesia with mild sedation is used so that the patient feels completely relaxed throughout the procedure. It is normal to experience swelling and bruising after the operation, which may last one to two weeks to disappear. Cold compresses may help to reduce the swelling.
If you have this condition and wish to treat it permanently, we can give you the solution you need.
We combine functional medicine with facial plastic surgery using minimally invasive procedures to achieve the results you are looking for.
We invite you to visit our website or to contact us by phone +506 2522-1000 | 7032-5570 or email agomez@artefacial.com. We will give you the information you need.
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