In ptosis the upper eyelid margin is lower than normal on one or both eyes. Eyelid covers the pupil when the eye is open. This can lead to visual field obstruction. Ptosis should not be confused with extra skin of the the eyelid, which you need upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery. When Ptosis can be shown to reduce visiual field, its correction is covered by most insurance plans. Providing visual deficit requires photo documentation and specialized testing (visual field testing), which can be performed in the office. If the degree of Ptosis is not as severe (does not affect vision), it is considered elective surgery and can be corrected as a cosmetic procedure.

What causes ptosis?

It may be congenital or because of acquired defects in the muscle (or its tendon). Patients must be looked for neurologic diseases such as Mysatenia Gravis. The most common reason Ptosis occurs is simply weakening of the muscle (or its tendon), which occurs with age. Again, various eye surgeries and the use of contact lenses can also cause ptosis due to the weakining of this muscle.

How is ptosis treated?

The treatment of ptosis is surgery. In surgery, our goal is to lift the eyelid by strengthening the levator muscle. Ptosis surgeries are performed according to the type and weight of the ptosis. After examination we can decide the operation tecnique. There are different techniques; The levator muscle, which opens the lid from the skin fold, can be shortened (external ptosis surgery). Or, the muller muscle can be shortened under the upper eyelid without a skin incision (scarless ptosis surgery). In congenital ptosis, the upper eyelid has to be linked to the forehead muscle (frontalis muscle). This allows use of the forehead muscle to lift the droopy upper eyelids. This technique is called frontalis sling. As a result, we determine the method to be applied in surgery according to the examination findings of the eyelid. Ptosis surgeries performed in adults are generally performed under local-sedation anesthesia. The patient don’t stay at the hospital. After the surgery we don’t close the eye, use ice applications on the day of surgery to prevent the development of swelling and bruising.

My patient with congenital right eye pitosis had a scarless ptosis operation. We can see the symmetrical result 1-month after operation.

We did upper blepharoplasty and droopy eyelid surgery for both eyes. 5-years after the operation, you can see the fresh appereance.

We operated left eye pitosis and hypotropia of a patient.

This patient had 3 pitosis operations in different clinics. We made a frontalis sling operation and the symmetry is achieved.

This patient had 2 pitosis operations in different clinics. We made a revisional levator resection surgery. Below is the photo after 2 months.

For more information, please contact Dr. İlke Bahçeci Şimşek.