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Ptosis Repair

Numerous aspects of the eyelid and brow may cause one or both eyelids to become droopy. A droopy eyelid is a sign of aging and may make a person look tired, older, or even ill. Additionally, a droopy eyelid can interfere with peripheral vision and the amount of light that can reach your eye.

 

When the cause is weakness or stretching of the eyelid muscles, ptosis repair surgery can be performed to tighten the muscles of the upper eyelid to place the eyelids in the correct height and regain symmetry between the upper eyelids. Ptosis repair can be performed three different ways, depending on the reason that the eyelid muscle becomes weak. Dr. Sweeney is an expert in all three types of eyelid lifts and will help you find the best technique to lift your eyelid(s).

The procedure can be performed in our office surgical suite or in the hospital operating room. The surgery is typically performed under lightly sedation, avoiding the side effects and risks of general anesthesia. Patients can return home immediately after the procedure and resume nearly all normal daily activities the next day. After ptosis repair, there is minimal downtime and you can expect 90% of the bruising and swelling to resolve by two weeks.

Dr. Sweeney is an eyelid surgeon dedicated to improving your eyelid appearance by giving you a natural, more youthful appearance.

Droopy upper lids can impede vision in several ways. Decreased peripheral vision while driving and difficulty reading in dim lighting are just a couple of the common day-to-day problems that ptosis can cause. Additionally, patients may compensate for droopy eyelids by constantly tilting their head up or lifting their brows, which may result in neck pain or headache. Additionally, low set or asymmetric eyelids may result in a tired, ill, or aged appearance which can be concerning to you or your family.

Patients may request for this surgery to improve their vision and their appearance. Regardless of the indication for the surgery, the outcome allows more light to meet the eye, brightens the eyelids, and rejuvenates the appearance of the face.

For ptosis surgery, one size does not fit all. Dr. Sweeney customizes all their eyelid procedures to be harmonious with the patient’s appearance. The amount of eyelid lift targeted with surgery is a product of patient’s wishes and the surgeon’s artistic touch.

In Hawaii, many of our patients have an “Asian eyelid” appearance. While there are numerous different types of eyelid configurations found in people of Asian descent, a subtle or hidden lid crease is often what is meant by “Asian eyelid.” Surgery to obtain natural results in patients with less prominent or hidden eyelid crease requires a high degree of familiarity and attention to avoid an unnatural postoperative appearance. Dr. Sweeney is highly experienced in Asian eyelid surgery and will work with you to customize the surgery to obtain your cosmetic goals.

Whether or not ptosis repair is covered by insurance is based on the amount of eyelid droop or stretching of the eyelid muscles. During your consultation, Dr. Sweeney will perform tests in the clinic including standardized photography and a visual field test to help determine if you meet the criteria for an insurance-covered surgery. If you do not meet the criteria defined by your insurance company, you can either wait until the droopy eyelid progresses to meet the criteria or you can proceed with surgery covering the costs of surgery yourself. When the surgery is paid for by the patient rather than an insurance company, this is considered a cosmetic lid lift.

Many patients enjoy the lift provided from ptosis repair for life. However, a lid lift does not stop aging. Over years, the eyelid tissues may continue to stretch or fall with gravity. Additionally, some patients have conditions that decrease the odds of success after ptosis repair. These conditions include sleep apnea, usage of certain glaucoma drops, and contact lens use just to name a few. For the majority of patients, however, the gains made with the lift will remain for life.

Yes, they can. Dr. Sweeney routinely performs ptosis surgery and upper eyelid blepharoplasty at the same time. Patients commonly request for this because they want to take on the bruising and swelling all at one time. Insurance covered ptosis repair can be performed for an insurance-covered (medical) or a cosmetic blepharoplasty simultaneously. Additionally, a cosmetic ptosis repair can be combined with an insurance-covered (medical) or a cosmetic blepharoplasty.