Consulta Online
Env铆eme su caso
Clínica Suárez Leoz
914 471 114
C/ Modesto Lafuente 9
28010 Madrid
Cirug铆a Ocular de Madrid
915 913 019
Pza Conde Valle Suchil 6
28015 Madrid
Cl铆nica Dermatol贸gica Internacional
914 449 797
C/ Marqu茅s de Villamagna 8
28001 Madrid
se.agaetralegna@rotcod

Eyelid ptosis


What is ptosis?

The word refers to the displacement ptosis or drooping of an organ or anatomical part. In this case we speak of ptosis or blepharoptosis. In ophthalmologic jargon, the term ptosis usually refers to the eyelid. It may be unilateral or bilateral and can affect any age.

Why are its causes?

The most common causes are due to age, in which there is a detachment of the muscle that raises the eyelid.

Less common causes are congenital, neurological and trauma causing a damaged levator muscle.

The use of contact lenses may predispose to the development of this condition.

Eyelid ptosis 1
Blepharoptosis involving the left eye in contact lens wearer

What are the symptoms?

The main problem is that it can cause visual field loss, as more pronounced descents affect the visual axis.

In children it can cause amblyopia, lazy eye, and sometimes needs to be dealt with at an early age.

Eyelid ptosis 2
Congenital blepharoptosis 3 year old with involvement of the visual axis OD. Requires treatment to prevent the amblyopic eye

In adults there is a very important cosmetic reason, given that great asymmetry may occur.

Eyelid ptosis 3 Eyelid ptosis 4
Ptosis in right eye lacking vision. Cosmetic purpose

How is ptosis treated?

The only treatment to correct ptosis is surgery.

There are several techniques described, which basically attempt to adjust the upper eyelid levator muscle to its original insertion.

Cases of severe functional impairment may need to be treated by implanting biological grafts, the patient, donor or artificial muscles anchored to rise against the eyelid. (Frontal suspension).

The goal of surgery is to leave open the visual axis, preventing loss of sight, leaving a palpebral margin that will fulfill its function of protecting the corneal surface. Therefore it must be harmonious, symmetrical and aesthetically acceptable.

The failure rate of recurrence or the causes may vary, being more common in congenital cases, children and those with a purely muscular etiology, in which it can be up to 20%.

The patient needs to be informed that the eyelid may return to its original position years after surgery.

Eyelid ptosis 5 Eyelid ptosis 7
Blepharoptosis involving the left eye
BEFORE AFTER
Eyelid ptosis 9 Eyelid ptosis 10
Blepharoptosis involving both eyes. Reapplication using the superior levator muscle
BEFORE AFTER
Eyelid ptosis 12 Eyelid ptosis 13
Blepharoptosis involving both eyes
BEFORE AFTER

Surgery is performed under local anesthesia and sedation. In children general anesthesia should be used.

Eyelid ptosis 15 Eyelid ptosis 16
Congenital blepharoptosis involving the right eye
BEFORE AFTER
Eyelid ptosis 19 Eyelid ptosis 20
Frontal suspension with fascia lata in a patient with congenital blepharoptosis without muscle function

Surgery usually lasts 30-60 minutes. It is not painful and does not require hospitalization.

Generally external sutures are hidden in the sulcus, leaving no scars.

In cases where the suspension is to be carried out to the front, the incisions are performed near or above the eyebrow and may leave a scar, which in any case will be small.

After surgery the patient should follow post-operative care advine as explained by the surgeon.