What is a blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is surgical procedure to correct age-related changes of the eyelids. This procedure is often performed to improve vision when excess eyelid skin or fat gets in the way.

A blepharoplasty may be recommended if you experience:

• Sagging or drooping upper eyelids
• Excess skin on your upper or lower eyelids
• Fat accumulation that makes eyelids look puffy
• Bags under the eyes
• Excessive fine lines and wrinkles on the lower eyelid

What is ptosis?

Ptosis (“toe-sis”) is a condition in which the upper eyelid droops over the eye. When ptosis occurs in children, it’s a congenital condition caused by problems with the levator muscle, which is responsible for lifting the eyelid.

Children born with ptosis have a higher risk of vision problems such as amblyopia (lazy eye), astigmatism, and crossed eyes. Even if children have a mild case of ptosis, they should get yearly comprehensive eye exams to catch and correct vision problems.

Adults also develop ptosis, usually when their levator muscle stretches, thins out, or detaches from the eyelid. This type of age-related ptosis, called involutional ptosis, develops gradually over the years.

Involutional ptosis may also occur after nerves that control the levator muscle are damaged or as a side effect of eye surgery. Although it’s not common, several diseases and health problems can lead to ptosis, including, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, a stroke, a tumor, or eyelid swelling.

How is ptosis repaired?

Ptosis can be repaired by tightening the muscle responsible for lifting the lid or by reattaching the muscle to the eyelid, depending on the cause of your ptosis. In rare cases, the muscle may be so weak that the eyelid must be connected to other muscles that can lift the lid.

Ptosis repair can be done alone or during a blepharoplasty.  These procedures are commonly done in an out-patient surgical center with general anesthesia.