Ptosis Repair

Patients with droopy eyelids may require ptosis repair. In this procedure we isolate the Levator Aponeurosis, the muscle which raises the lid, and either reattach it or advance it. This gives the muscle a mechanical advantage to raise the lid. Sometimes patients also have too much skin or too much fat. We remove these tissues if necessary.

Many people are concerned that they will not be able to close their eyes after surgery. Not to worry. The muscle which closes the eye is different that the muscle that opens the eye. While in the office we perform measurements that guide us on how much to raise the lids.

The surgery is performed under local anesthesia with sedation. After Dr. McHenry and his anesthesiologist have spoken with you in pre-op, you will be given some sedation and then brought to the operating room. We will put some local anesthetic under the skin of your eyelids. During this part of the procedure you will be virtually asleep. When you wake we will ask you to sit up so we can perform additional measurements. Surgical calisthenics! After this we give you more sedation and finish the procedure.

For a few minutes in the recovery room you will have patches over your eyes and ice packs on your face to reduce swelling. The first night we have you sleep with your head elevated. Then we see you the next day. Nineteen out of twenty patients require no adjustment of their sutures. They are absorbable and do not need to be taken out. In one of twenty patients we adjust the sutures about two weeks in the office.