Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid wherein the
muscle that opens the eyelid (the levator
aponeurosis) has slipped or is weak. This is
different than Dermatochalasis which only involves
excess hanging skin. Upper eyelid ptosis is often
seen in conjunction with dermatochalasis where both
a blepharoplasty and ptosis repair would be
performed. Ptosis repair could be performed from the
undersurface of the eyelid leaving no visible scars,
or from the front if already performing a
blepharoplasty. Either way the goal is to detach the
levator muscle and reattach it further down the
eyelid in order to allow a wider opening of the
upper eyelid. It is often covered by insurance
depending on the severity of droopiness. Ptosis
could also be caused by a nerve problem or from
birth. Occasionally if the muscle is too weak a
sling procedure would be necessary connecting the
forehead muscle to the eyelid muscle to help elevate
the upper eyelid.
