What is Ptosis?

Ptosis is commonly known as ‘sleepy eyes’ because the eyelid covers the pupil more than normal in this condition. As a result the brow and forehead muscles are involved in opening the eyes because the muscle opening the eyes is weak. Ptosis corrective cosmetic surgery can be performed to restore the normal eye appearance.

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain to the patient about the ptosis condition and carefully determine their candidacy for ptosis corrective surgery.

Fantastic and committed oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Hui provides ptosis correction to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, Riverside, Redlands, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, and surrounding locations.

Symptoms

Ptosis occurs when the upper eyelid starts drooping over the eye. If the drooping is excessive, it will cover the pupil to limit or even entirely block the normal vision. Ptosis can occur in both kids and adults. The good news is that this condition can be treated successfully with ptosis eyelid surgery. Some of the common symptoms arising from ptosis may include:

• Asymmetry eyes
• Origin of astigmatis
• Reduced visual acuity
• Wrinkles on forehead
• Frequent headaches

Ptosis in Kids

Congenital ptosis may occur in a child who is born with a problem with the levator muscle, which lifts the eyelid. The eyelid may be drooping or the upper lid creases may not line up evenly with each other. A child with ptosis may tip their head back, lift up their chin, or raise their brows to try to see more clearly. If the condition persists, these movements may lead to head and neck problems over time.  

Children born with ptosis may also have other eye related problems in some cases. These could include eye muscle disease, eye movement issues or tumors on the eyelid. Having ptosis puts a child at risk for vision problems. If the vision is blocked due to a heavily drooping eyelid, it may lead to amblyopia or a lazy eye. Astigmatism may develop in some children who see blurry images, while some others may develop misaligned or crossed eyes.

Ptosis in Adults

Adults may suffer from ptosis when the levator muscle stretches or separates away from their eyelid. They may occur due to the effects of aging or an eye injury. In a few cases, ptosis may occur as an after-effect of an eye surgery. Tumors or other diseases may also affect the eyelid muscle, causing ptosis, in rare cases.

The surgeon will determine the underlying cause of ptosis in order to suggest the most appropriate treatment. This will involve a thorough eye exam, and may include other diagnostic tests and x-rays. Surgery may be recommended in most cases to help the eyelid muscle work better.