The upper eyelid is controlled by muscles and tendons that allow it to open and close as needed. When certain muscles are weak or loose, the upper eyelid may not open completely. This condition is called ptosis and it can create a droopy eyelid that looks tired and may impact vision. Dr. Stefan Shuaib at Dallas Facial Plastic Surgery Center offers ptosis (droopy eyelid) repair surgery at our facility in Irving, TX.

What Causes Ptosis?

The most common cause of ptosis or droopy upper eyelids is aging. As some people get older, the levitator muscles that retain an open upper eyelid weakens. The eyelid can droop and cover part of the iris; in severe cases, it can restrict vision. While aging is the most common cause, genetics, injuries, medications, nerve damage and other factors can result in droopy eyelids.

People with ptosis may try to compensate for their droopy eyelids. They may raise their eyebrows or tilt their head to adjust their eyes. The condition can result in headaches and vision issues. It also has cosmetic concerns, making the person look tired, sad or non-enthusiastic.

Droopy Eyelid Repair

To correct ptosis and resolve the appearance of a droopy eyelid, Dr. Stefan Shuaib can create a customized surgical plan for each patient. Depending on the cause of ptosis and the severity, Dr. Shuaib may use different surgical techniques to repair the eyelid function. This often will involve adjusting the levitator muscle in the upper eyelid to improve the ability to open the eye fully and keep it in that position.

Many patients with ptosis are older and also have sagging skin on their upper or lower eyelids. If desired, ptosis repair can be combined with blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, to rejuvenate the eyes at the same time.

If you have droopy upper eyelids, you may have ptosis. To learn more about ptosis repair or cosmetic droopy eyelid surgery, contact us at Dallas Facial Plastic Surgery Center. We can schedule a personal ptosis correction consultation with Dr. Shuaib at our clinic in Irving, TX.