Ptosis Correction FAQ

Ptosis correction is surgery that strengthens the muscle that opens the eye (the levator muscle) to reduce how much the upper eyelid covers the pupil. It is considered when the eyes look half-closed and sleepy, when you use your forehead to open your eyes, or when the eyes are different sizes. It is often combined with double eyelid surgery, and there are non-incisional and incisional methods.

Eyelid ptosis is a condition in which the upper eyelid covers the pupil because the eye-opening muscle (the levator muscle) is weak or its connection to the eyelid has loosened. It can be present from birth or develop later due to aging, long-term contact lens wear, or a habit of rubbing the eyes. The eyes often look sleepy, or the forehead is used to open the eyes, which creates forehead wrinkles. Depending on the degree, it is treated with ptosis correction surgery.

Ptosis correction without a double eyelid is possible and is often called monolid ptosis correction. Strictly speaking, a thin hidden crease that is hard to see when the eyes are open is created at the same time. It is considered when you want to keep a monolid look while showing more of the pupils.

Non-incisional ptosis correction tightens the eye-opening muscle with sutures placed through tiny openings without cutting the skin, while incisional ptosis correction opens the double eyelid crease to see and correct the muscle directly. The non-incisional method involves less swelling and an easier recovery and suits mild drooping. The incisional method is mainly chosen when a larger correction is needed, when the eyes are different sizes, or for revision surgery.

Ptosis correction for men focuses on improving a sleepy or tired look, and the amount of correction is adjusted so the eyes do not look overly large. Men often have thick eyelids and a short distance between the eyebrow and eye, so overcorrection can make the face look harsh. Whether to do ptosis correction alone or add a low crease is decided at the consultation based on your facial features.

After ptosis correction, incomplete eyelid closure, overcorrection (eyes that look startled), undercorrection, asymmetry, or loosening of the correction so the eyelid droops again can occur. The strength of the eye-opening muscle differs from person to person, so it is important to set the amount of correction accurately. Because the left and right muscles can also differ in strength, the correction is made while checking how the eyes open during surgery. If overcorrection or asymmetry persists after the swelling subsides, a secondary correction is considered.

Swelling and recovery time after ptosis correction are similar to double eyelid surgery. Adding ptosis correction does not usually make swelling much worse or recovery much longer, and noticeable swelling usually settles considerably within 1–2 weeks for non-incisional and 2–4 weeks for incisional surgery.

Ptosis correction revision is usually done 6 months or more after the previous surgery, once the swelling has gone down and the tissue has settled. However, when needed, such as when overcorrection keeps the eyes from closing well or there is a clear left–right difference, corrective surgery may be done earlier. The timing and method are decided after examining your eyes.

The cost of ptosis correction depends on the method (non-incisional or incisional), whether combined procedures such as double eyelid surgery, canthoplasty or upper blepharoplasty are done, whether it is a revision, and whether left–right asymmetry is corrected. The extent of correction can differ with eye-opening strength and eyelid condition, so the exact cost is given after consultation.