Have you noticed your eyelids slightly drooping? Or are you unable or have a hard time moving your eyelids? If you do, then you might have ptosis, or droopy eyelids. Ptosis by itself isn’t really life-threatening, but it can be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Ptosis can also affect your everyday life due to the discomfort it brings as well as the limited vision due to the drooping eyelid. One way to get rid of it is by undergoing ptosis surgery by an ophthalmologist.
Ptosis is not a widespread condition, and only affects a small percentage of the population, which is why sometimes there is a lot of misinformation about the condition. If you are thinking of getting ptosis surgery in Singapore soon, then here are a few things you need to know about ptosis:
What is ptosis?
Ptosis is a condition in which one or both of the upper eyelids are drooping over the eye. The cause of this condition, also called droopy eyelids, is usually due to nerve damage, a chronic medical condition, or some more serious illnesses like brain damage or stroke.
Ptosis mostly affects the upper eyelids, but can also be observed on the lower eyelids. However, upper eyelid ptosis is usually a more serious condition as the droopy eyelid can affect a person’s vision.
Is ptosis painful?
The condition is not usually painful, but it can be very uncomfortable to have. Your eyelids will be constantly drooping and may block your line of sight. People with ptosis have minimal to no control over their drooping eyelid, which is why they might have to tip their head back or lift their chin to restore their vision. Others try to move their eyebrow upward to elevate the drooping eyelid. Because of this constant movement of head and facial muscles, it can strain these muscles and may have some unintended effects on your overall movement.
What are the causes of ptosis?
So many different things can cause ptosis, and you will need to consult with an ophthalmologist and undergo a series of tests to determine the exact cause. It is important to know the cause of the ptosis as it may be caused by an underlying condition that may be serious or even life-threatening.
Some possible things that can cause droopy eyelids are the following:
- decreased muscle control due to aging
- nerve damage on the eyelid, which explains the decreased control
- a recent eye operation such as LASIK or cataract surgery due to the stretching of the muscle or tendon
- underlying neurological conditions and disorders, such as a stroke, a brain tumor or even cancer
How is the cause of ptosis diagnosed?
To diagnose the exact cause of your ptosis, you will first need to undergo a physical examination and a checkup of your medical history. Your doctor will ask some questions regarding your ptosis, such as the time when you first experienced it, as well as the frequency of your droopy eyelids. To help determine how your eye responds to light, your doctor may also perform a slit lamp exam, which can be essential for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the treatment options for ptosis?
Ptosis can be fixed through what is called ptosis surgery, which is a delicate surgical procedure done by highly specialized and experienced surgeons. To be able to perform the surgery, a surgeon will not only have to learn how to perform the surgery but he/she must also have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the eye and its surrounding muscles and tissues.
Take note, however, that ptosis surgery can only fix the ptosis itself, not the possible underlying condition that caused it. If it is found that your droopy eyelids are caused by a more serious condition, you will have to undergo a specialized treatment for that specific condition.
How is ptosis surgery performed?
If you have decided to undergo ptosis surgery, you will first have to inform your doctor or clinic so that an operation date can be scheduled. Patients will have to arrive at least 30 minutes before the procedure so that a nurse or medical staff can check your vital signs to make sure that you are ready to undergo the surgery. You will also be introduced to your surgeon and anesthesiologist who will perform and assist in the surgery.
To begin, a local anesthetic will be injected on the area around your ptosis to ensure that you feel no pain or discomfort during the surgery. Some numbing eye drops may also be applied to ensure that you feel comfortable and your eyes are relaxed. Your surgeon will then make a small incision along the crease of your droopy eyelid to access the levator muscle. The muscle tendon is then tightened using temporary sutures to elevate the droopy eyelid and strengthen the levator muscle’s control of the eyelid. The eyelid incision is then closed up using dissolvable sutures.
How long is the downtime after ptosis surgery?
Ptosis surgery, albeit a delicate type of surgical procedure, only makes a tiny incision on your eyelid for its procedure. Patients who have just undergone the procedure do not need to spend the night in the hospital or clinic and may be allowed to go home a few hours after the procedure. Of course, before a patient is cleared to go home, he/she must first be observed by the doctor or nurse to ensure that there were no complications from the procedure.
You will be advised by your doctor to take some rest after you get home so that your body can focus on healing. He/she will also advise you on what things you need to do or not do to ensure that you recover well. This includes not getting your eyelid wet, as well as to avoid any strenuous physical activity while the incision is still healing. You will also have to avoid wearing any eye makeup as this can cause irritation or infection. Overall, you should recover from the ptosis surgery in 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how your eyelid heals.
Asia Retina Eye Surgery Centre:
#15-10 The Paragon
290 Orchard Rd
Singapore 238859
+65 6732 0007 | +65 9118 0007