Ptosis
Ptosis
Droopy eyelids occur due to weakness in the muscles that lift the eyelids.
In this condition, one or both eyelids may droop lower than usual, causing unwanted cosmetic issues and making the face appear tired.
It can also lead to vision problems as the drooping eyelid may be partially or fully obstructing the eye and negatively affecting vision.
Droopy eyelids can occur for several reasons, including:
Congenital Ptosis
Where a child is born with it as a resul of a problem in the development of the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid and usually affects one eye only.
Nerve-related problems
The nerves in the brain control the eyelid, and damage to them can cause droopy eyelids.
Aging
One of the most common causes of droopy eyelids, as muscles around the eye weaken with age.
This type of ptosis usually affects both eyes, but it may be more severe in one eye more than the other one.
What problems can occur due to droopy eyelids in childhood?
The primary symptom of droopy eyelids is the drooping of the eyelid itself, but in severe cases of drooping, complications can occur such as:
Vision obstruction
Resulting from blocking the path through which light enters the eye, potentially leading to lazy eye.
Positioning up of the chin and head
Adopting up head position to be able to see under the drooping upper eyelid.
What problems can occur due to droopy eyelids in adults?
1- Some patients with this problem may experience raising eyebrows to help lift the eyelid and improve vision, which can strain facial muscles.
2- Pain in the head and neck due to continuous attempts to raise the eyebrow.
3- Signs of fatigue appearing on the face and eyes.
Dr. Osama Abdel Hakim treats droopy eyelids using several surgical methods, the most important of which are shortening of the levator muscle or fixing the levator muscle to the forehead.
1- Shortening the levator muscle
Dr. Ossama Abdel Hakim uses this procedure when the function of the levator muscle is moderate
This shortening is done through an incision in the eyelid crease. This type of surgical intervention is usually used to treat age-related droopy eyelids.
2. Fixing the levator muscle to the forehead
Dr. Ossama Abdel Hakim uses this procedure when the function of the levator muscle is weak
This technique is done by suspending the eyelid to the eyebrow using a silicone band specifically designed for lid lifting procedure.
This type of surgical intervention is usually used to treat congenital or nerve-related droopy eyelids.
It should be noted that after this surgery, patients will not be able to close their eyelids during sleep.
However, this problem of open eyelids during sleep will improve over time, so continuous use of lubricants is needed to avoid corneal dryness.
In the next video, Dr. Ossama Abdel Hakim explains droopy eyelids in children and its treatment methods.
Complications of surgical intervention
Eyelid lifting surgery are safe and do not harm the eye or vision.
However, in rare cases, minor complications may occur, such as:
• Although eyelid elevation is usually improved, achieving ideal symmetry between both eyelids height and shape may not be so perfect, and it is actually not the main goal of surgery.
• Some eyelids may be lifted more than necessary or not lifted sufficiently, requiring re-intervention to adjust their position. This can occur in about 10% of cases.
• Some patients may experience eye dryness, which usually decreases over time.
In the next video, we can see some before and after cases of droopy eyelids that Dr. Ossama Abdel Hakim had treated them.
In adults, surgery is performed under local anesthesia, while in children and young individuals, it is performed under general anesthesia.
In any case, the patient returns home on the same day and can resume normal activities from the first day after surgery.
