Droopy Eyelid | Surgery for Ptosis
Droopy eyelids or levator ptosis can be congenital or acquired. Some people develop droopy eyelids as a result of trauma, previous eye surgery (such as cataract surgery), or simply as a result of aging. Sometimes one eyelid will become droopy, while other times both will droop. This results in a visual obstruction or “curtain like effect” in your vision. Fortunately eyelid surgery can improve the ptosis and correct your visual obstruction. If you are concerned that one or both eyelids are droopy, discuss this with your eye doctor or call to make an appointment to see Dr. Aquadro.
What does droopy eyelid surgery address?
- The muscle that raises your eyelid is repaired so it can function properly
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery to repair a droopy eyelid?
- Someone with droopy eyelids related to trauma or age
- Someone with good eye muscle function
- Someone with visual obstruction related to the droopy eyelid
- Non-smoker
- A healthy individual
- Realistic goals and expectations
Will insurance cover eyelid surgery?
Yes. Most insurances will cover the repair of levator ptosis or droopy eyelid. Many times the insurance company requires a visual field test to be performed prior to surgery. This test quantifies the amount of visual obstruction present.
What can I expect from a consultation with Dr. Aquadro?
At East Alabama Plastic Surgery we believe you should be well informed about any procedure you are considering. Dr. Aquadro will present the different options for eyelid surgery and discuss the pros and cons of each decision. There are many decisions to be made and we want to involve you in every step of the process. When you to leave East Alabama Plastic Surgery, you should feel at ease about the decision you and Dr. Aquadro reached about eyelid surgery.
What to expect the day of surgery?
Dr. Aquadro performs his surgeries that require general anesthesia at East Alabama Medical Center outpatient facility. Some eye lid surgeries can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. On the day of surgery, Dr. Aquadro will make some marks on you in the preoperative holding area and confirm the surgery details with you. The surgery can vary from one to one and a half hours and you go home the same day.
What is the typical recovery time?
You will see immediate improvement in the eyelid position. Mild bruising and swelling will be present for up to two weeks. Dr. Aquadro asks you to sleep with your head elevated for the first two weeks. Sutures are removed in five days. Most people can return to work within a seven to ten days. Full strenuous activity can be resumed at 4-6 weeks.
