Aging does a lot of changes in the body. If we concentrate on the face alone, we can trace the signs of aging through the folds that line the side of our lips or the creases that stretch from one side of our foreheads to the other. Zoom in to the eyes and you may have eyelids that sag, blocking a part of the visual field. The drooping of the eyelid is a condition called Ptosis. You can correct your Ptosis and improve your vision by undergoing a surgical procedure called Blepharoplasty.
This article breaks down essential information about ptosis and the benefits of undergoing ptosis surgery in Singapore. Specifically, we will be answering the following questions:
- What is Ptosis?
- What causes Ptosis?
- Is Ptosis a permanent condition?
- What can improve this condition if it is permanent?
- What are the benefits of getting a Ptosis surgery in Singapore?
It is the goal of this article to spread more information about this condition that can affect a person’s quality of life. Read on.
What is Ptosis?
Ptosis is a medical condition that alters the natural form of the upper eyelid by drooping. Otherwise known as droopy eyelids, this irregularity can be categorized according to two types:
- Bilateral Ptosis
- Unilateral Ptosis
Bilateral ptosis is characterized by droopy eyelids that affect both eyes, while unilateral ptosis is only observed in one eye.
What causes Ptosis?
Ptosis can be caused by various factors. Ageing, as mentioned, is one and is the most common reason for this. A person develops ptosis when the eyelids’ muscles and skin stretches and become weak over time. Likewise, diseases and injury can weaken the muscles or nerves that control the upper eyelids causing it to cover a portion of the eyes.
There are also instances when ptosis is seen in babies upon birth. This is called congenital ptosis. This kind of droopy eyelids in children may not be noticeable instantly following birth and is more often caught a few months later. When left untreated, children with ptosis are at risk of developing another eye condition called amblyopia or lazy eye.
The signs and symptoms of ptosis include:
- Drooping of one or both upper eyelids
- Discomfort around the affected eye
- Eyes that are extremely dry or watery
- Face that appears tired or weary
- Tilting of head to better see when conversing with another person
Is Ptosis a permanent condition?
Ptosis can either be temporary or permanent, depending on how severe the condition is. Some usually resolve on their own, but the more advanced cases will need medical treatment to correct it.
Living with droopy eyelids can be challenging as the saggy skin and muscles of the upper eyelids can hinder you from seeing fully as they obstruct your pupil and limit your vision.
If symptoms of ptosis are consistent and accompanied by migraines or other conditions, it is best to consult with your doctor to ensure that there are no other complications present that affect your health. Drooping of both eyelids may indicate a hidden medical condition that may be serious like:
- Brain tumor
- Cancer affecting the muscles or nerves
- Myasthenia gravis
- Stroke
Some surgical procedures can also lead to sagging eyelids, such as cataract or LASIK surgery.
What can improve this condition if it is permanent?
To say that ptosis is permanent is not entirely 100% accurate when there are treatments available that can improve your droopy eyelids and restore them back to normal. These are:
- Ptosis crutches
- Scarless suture method
- Ptosis surgery
Temporary ptosis can be addressed using special prescription glasses called “Ptosis Crutches.” These eyeglasses have bars that are attached on the inside of the eyewire frame. This bar or “crutch” is strategically placed against the part of the eye where the orbital fold is usually located. As the affected eye opens, the crutch creates a crease above the eye, which then folds the sagging eyelid in and lifting it higher than the pupil.
Mild ptosis can be corrected using the scarless suture method. This procedure involves making two or three punctures in the eyelid where a special suture is looped through and pulled to tighten, creating the eyelid fold and correcting the ptosis.
Ptosis surgery using the incision technique is done for moderate to severe cases of eyelid drooping. This surgical procedure uses local anaesthesia with sedation. To do this, our surgeon will take away excess skin, fats, and muscles from your upper eyelids in order to improve the eyes’ shape and allow it to open wider. Ptosis surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. As advised by your doctor, you may need to take some time off to rest and recover following the procedure as your eyes will be extra sensitive while healing.
It is also important to consider whether the cause of your ptosis is linked to an underlying condition or not. If your doctor discovers a medical condition tied to your drooping eyelids, then the root cause should be dealt with first instead of exploring the treatments above. Normally, ptosis due to a medical condition resolves without needing surgery when the disease causing it is cured.
Correcting ptosis is usually advised when your vision is partially or wholly obstructed by sagging eyelids. To know whether you are a qualified candidate for a ptosis procedure, your doctor will conduct a thorough check up of your eye. Your doctor will use the marginal reflex distance technique to verify the distance of the upper eyelid to the centre of the pupil. The result of this will determine the type of procedure required to fix your ptosis.
What are the benefits of getting ptosis surgery in Singapore?
There are several benefits that ptosis surgery can bring. These are:
- Improved vision
- Looking more alert and younger
- For children, avoidance of developing amblyopia or lazy eye
In Singapore, the cost for getting a ptosis surgery for functional purposes
can be reimbursed through Medisave as approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Allure Plastic Surgery – Dr Samuel Ho Yew Ming, Consultant Plastic Surgeon
435 Orchard Road
#22-04 Penthouse Floor
Wisma Atria Singapore
https://www.allureplasticsurgery.sg/
+65 6734 9988
+65 9623 7863