Ptosis Surgery Singapore: Treatments for Droopy Eyelids for Clear Vision, Defined Double Eyelids and Enhanced Appearance
Are your eyelids drooping so low that they’re impairing your vision? Are droopy eyelids making you look tired and bored?
Searching for ptosis surgery in Singapore may help you understand what’s happening to your eyes. Knowing why you have hooded eyelids will help you learn what can be done to manage the condition so you can see clearly and look great with more beautiful and defined eyelids.
If your upper eyelid keeps drooping downwards, you might be suffering from ptosis eye medical condition.
Studies on the prevalence of ptosis show that up to 13.5% of adults acquire ptosis and that the incidence increases with age. In Singapore, a study shows that ptosis accounts for 11.7% of oculoplastic cases and is the most common condition of the eyelid seen by specialists. These statistics indicate that droopy eyelids are more common than you think.
Fortunately, ptosis is manageable and treatable. Depending on the cause and severity of your ptosis, your doctor can recommend medication, procedures, or ptosis eye surgery. Here, we go through everything you need to know about ptosis and the possible treatments you can undergo.
What is Ptosis?
Ptosis is a condition where the upper eyelid droops over the eye. It could be unilateral, where only one eyelid droops, or bilateral, where both eyelids are hooded. It could also be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life due to various factors).
The main symptom of ptosis is a droopy eyelid. In mild cases, the drooping causes only slight discomfort and cosmetic issues. In contrast, severe cases can completely block normal vision and impair quality of life. But whatever the severity, ptosis must be addressed to avoid further complications.
The unsightly appearance of hooded eyelids may affect one’s self-esteem and cause psychological distress. In moderate cases, patients may unconsciously keep raising their eyebrows or tilt their heads backward to compensate for the visual impairment. These actions can tire muscles in the neck and face area causing discomfort and fatique.
Causes of Droopy Eyelids
Ptosis occurs both in children and adults. The most common cause of ptosis is genetics and ageing (both can be categorised as a medical condition affecting sense of sight and your appearance), but other potential risk factors include improper use of contact lenses, excessive eye rubbing, eye surgery, and underlying medical conditions.
Genetics
Some people are genetically predisposed to ptosis. Most of them suffer from congenital ptosis, where symptoms are apparent even in childhood. The most common cause of ptosis in children is when their levator muscles do not develop well. When these muscles are unable to lift the eyelids, the child is put at risk for vision problems. Congenital ptosis can also lead to amblyopia or lazy eye. It can also occur along with other eye muscle diseases. Thus, it is very important to have children properly diagnosed if they show symptoms of ptosis.
Ageing
Most acquired ptosis cases occur in the fifth decade of life. The prevalence also increases with age as levator muscles weaken. The levator palpebrae superioris muscles are responsible for lifting the eyelids. But, like other muscles, they can also weaken as you grow older. Although not everyone gets ptosis, the occurrence is part of the natural ageing process.
Eye Injury
Another potential cause of ptosis is eye damage or injury. This can be due to an accident that damages the nerves in eyelid muscles. It could also be caused by the use of rigid contact lenses or excessive eye rubbing.
Surgical Side Effects
Ptosis can also happen as a side effect of eye surgery or Botox injections done by inexperienced injectors. Some cases may resolve naturally after some time, but most require additional surgical procedures.
Other Medical Conditions
Hooded eyelids can be due to other diseases such as Horner’s syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and other neurological conditions. Some tumours and cysts may also lead to ptosis.
The Medical Solution
Treatment for ptosis depends on multiple factors, including the patient’s age, health condition, and the severity of ptosis symptoms. A complete eye examination and a series of tests are usually conducted to make a thorough diagnosis then the most appropriate treatment is recommended.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis starts with a physical eye exam and a review of your medical history. You will be asked to explain your symptoms and how often they occur. Then further diagnostic tests will be run to determine the specific cause. Diagnostic tests may include a slit-lamp exam, radiographic exams, and a Tensilon test.
Customised Medical Treatment
The treatment for droopy eyelids depends on the specific cause and the severity of the ptosis. For some, no treatment may be necessary. But for most cases, a ptosis surgery procedure is recommended.
For mild cases or temporary ptosis, your doctor may prescribe eye drops containing oxymetazoline which causes eyelids to open wider. If you are not a good candidate for surgery, you may be given ptosis crutches which are special glasses that hold the eyelid up.
When surgery is necessary, the doctor will consider your eyelid height, the strength of levator muscles, eye movement, and other factors to determine the best surgical method for your ptosis.
Recovery
If you do not undergo surgery and use prescription eye drops, you would have to use the drops every day to keep your eyelids from drooping. If you undergo ptosis surgery, expect bruising to last up to one or two weeks. Complete healing time will vary per person, but the average is around three months for full ptosis surgery recovery.
When to Get Ptosis Surgery
When ptosis ‘droppy eyelids’ blocks vision and impedes normal functioning, surgery may be necessary. You may also opt for ptosis surgery as a cosmetic procedure to improve your physical appearance. The type of procedure will depend on your specific needs and health condition.
If your levator muscle still functions, a levator resection can be done. In this procedure, the muscle is cut shorter or tightened to make the eyelid shorter and more similar to the other eyelid.
If the elevator muscles aren’t functioning anymore, ptosis repair can be done by a frontalis sling. The eyelid margin is connected to the frontalis muscle using silicone, sutures, or fascia. The eyelid function then depends on the movement of the frontalis muscles.
Most ptosis procedures are safe, but there can also be complications. It is always best to discuss the entire process with your doctor to understand potential risks. Your doctor can advise you when to get ptosis surgery and the best time to do so.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Ptosis Surgery
Ptosis surgery is an outpatient procedure. You can go home the same day as your surgery but would be required to go back to the clinic for a post-op checkup.
Before your surgery, your doctor will ask about any medication you are currently taking. Be sure to tell them about all the medicines you are taking to avoid contraindications with medicines you may be prescribed to take after the surgery. Your doctor will also discuss what to expect during and after the surgery.
Most ptosis surgeries require only light sedation and local anesthesia to numb the eye and the area around it. But there are cases, especially in children, where general anesthesia is given. You may be asked to stay for a couple of hours in the clinic for monitoring before being allowed to go home the same day.
After the surgery, there will be soreness and bruising around the eye area. This usually disappears in a week or so. Some patients also experience blurred vision for two to four weeks due to the use of eye ointments and poor eyelid closure. You can expect full recovery from the surgery in three to four months.
Once fully healed, you will have clearer vision, more defined double eyelids, and enhanced appearance. You will have unimpeded vision which will enable you to perform daily activities more efficiently. You will also have well defined and attractive looking eyelids that enhance your aesthetic appearance. With ptosis surgery, you get to see clearly, look great, and feel beautiful.
Getting Ptosis Surgery Singapore
Ptosis may not be a severe chronic condition, but it poses two big problems: it affects the sense of sight that increases risk factors and it makes someone look tired and unattractive. Thus, it is classified as both a medical and aesthetic concern which is insurance claimable. So ptosis surgery cost Singapore clinics charge should not prevent you from getting the right treatment. Aside from insurance benefits you can claim, getting the procedure positively impacts your health, appearance, and overall well-being. All the benefits it brings make the cost well worth it.
If you suffer from droopy eyelids, know that there are several custom-tailored surgical approaches available that can alleviate your problem. The best way to know which one is most appropriate for you is to consult a specialist. Find a reputable and trusted ptosis surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation.
Ptosis is a manageable and treatable condition. Knowing and understanding the ptosis surgery options available is the first step you can take towards improving your eye health and appearance.
