Most cases of ptosis are treated very successfully by surgery. The operation is intended to improve both field of vision and cosmetic appearance.
The appropriate procedure, and the degree to which the lids should be lifted, depends upon the underlying cause and the patient’s examination findings.
In the most common form of ptosis, surgery takes about 45-60 minutes to do and is typically undertaken as a day case procedure under local anaesthesia. The operation involves making a fine incision in the eyelid and shortening the levator tendon with absorbable sutures.
Post Operative Care
- Check your vision daily by covering each eye and reading newspaper print.
- Post-operative bruising and swelling may be minimised by applying a cold compress after surgery (10 minutes every 2 hours for 3 days), head elevation and Arnica montana tablets
- Bathe the wounds gently using cool boiled water and a gauze wipe. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after bathing.
- An antibiotic ointment will be prescribed to apply to the skin wound and into the eye for one week after surgery. This will create a film across the front of the eye causing blurring of vision for about 30 minutes. Take care not to touch the eye with the nozzle of the tube.
- The skin stitches will be removed one week after surgery