Blepharoplasty Combined with Ptosis Repair

There are two 'main' surgeries that may be performed on the upper eyelid.

1. Ptosis is the medical term for drooping of the upper eyelid; it may affect one or both eyes.

1. Pseudoptosis is different from ptosis and refers to the situation when excess skin may encroach on the eyelid; it may affect one or both eyelids and is repaired by blepharoplastY
   
   

Thus the patient has two eyelid conditions that should be evaluated.

When you elevate the skin (photograph on the right), once can see the patient has ptosis.

Repair of Ptosis	Removal of Excess Skin
Ptosis (Ptosis is also known as Blepharoptosis. It refers to an eyelid which is droopy. This may cause a loss of vision, especially while reading, headaches, and eyebrow strain. Surgery involves elevating the eyelid itself, either by a skin incision or from the back of the eyelid	Pseudoptosis refers to the situation when excess skin causes a hooding, or blinders effect, limiting the peripheral visual field. Surgery is called a Blepharoplasty Surgery involves removing excess skin and fat from the eyelid
Repair the one or both of the eyelid muscles that has weakened resulting in a ptotic eyelid. Ptosis can be corrected via several different techniques. Repair of a droopy eyelid can be performed via an eyelid crease incision or from the inside of the eyelid (no skin incision), or if severe, via alternate suspension techniques Repair of ptosis & blepharoplasty are often performed at the same time.	Your droopy upper eyelids and droopy brows may give you the appearance of being sleepy, tired and aging prematurely In addition, this sagging, may lead to brow/eyelid strain Eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of the eyelids is often called 'eyelift' or 'blepharoplasty'. This surgery can be performed on both the UPPER and on the LOWER eyelids.
In the pre-operative photograph above, take note that there appears to be little, if any excess upper eyelid skin. Rather, the patient's superior visual field is limited by the position of the eyelid since it partially obstructs the pupil. The normal position of the upper eyelid is midway between superior limbus and the upper pupillary margin. When the edge of the upper eyelid falls, it may block the upper field of your vision	Removal of upper eyelid excess skin and fat (often cosmetic in nature and not covered by insurance). This is often called Pseudoptosis and is repaired by Blepharoplasty Repair of ptosis & blepharoplasty may be performed at the same time.