Droopy eyelids, known medically as ptosis can drastically reduce one’s quality of life. People suffering from this condition often struggle to keep their eyes open. When they want to look ahead, they will often tilt their head backward or exert pressure on their eyebrows to raise the eyelids. This can be tiring.

Luckily, the condition can be treated and patients will experience a full recovery. Moreover, they will find it easier to open their eyes and will have a more alert look. And what’s more, patients with droopy eyelids will also achieve larger looking eyes.

Understanding ptosis

Ptosis is a condition where the upper eyelids are droopy. It can affect either one of the eyelids or both. Consequently, ptosis results in the eyelid covering part of the pupil. This results in obstructed vision.

Furthermore, the condition also causes one to appear bored and unmotivated.

A doctor will evaluate your eyes and inform you if you have ptosis. They will then provide you with options for treating the condition.

What causes ptosis?

Ptosis is caused by a variety of factors. The first and most common is genetics. Some people are born with it. This type of ptosis, better known as congenital ptosis needs to be treated quickly. Otherwise, it can lead to a whole host of problems later on in the child’s development. For instance, if the child grows up tilting their heads in order to see, this can lead to a neck injury.

Secondly, ptosis can also be caused by old age. Furthermore, it may be a result of injury or tumor growth. Surgery in the eye can also cause droopy eyelids.

The reason behind the droopy eyelids is weak levator muscles. These enable the opening and closing of the eyelids. When they are not functioning properly they are not able to fully open the eyelids.

Treatments for ptosis in Singapore

Ptosis treatment can be done in two main ways. These are:

  • Surgical procedures
  • Non-surgical procedures

The right procedure for you will depend on the severity of your ptosis. For example, if you are dealing with a minor case, then this will likely heal quickly and can, therefore, be solved with non-surgical treatment.

On the other hand, if you are dealing with a severe case of ptosis, then you will need a surgical operation to improve the function of the levator muscles and the eyelids.

Surgical option – blepharoplasty

Functional blepharoplasty is different from cosmetic blepharoplasty. The latter is used to improve and accentuate the appearance of the eyes. However, with functional blepharoplasty, the procedure is done for strictly medical purposes.

Here the doctor makes an incision on the upper eyelids and removes excess skin and fat. He or she will then close the wound with surgical glue or by using stitches. All the while, the patient will be under local anesthesia.

Other times all that is requires is to re-attach the levator muscle to ensure proper function.

A patient can also receive blepharoplasty using a laser. While this is considered non-surgical, it still poses risks to the patient and the patient will need downtime to recover fully.

Non-surgical options

There are several non-surgical options for the treatment of ptosis. Keep in mind that these are ideal for less complex and severe cases.

Laser treatment is one such option. It is used to tighten the skin on the eyelids. This causes lift and improves vision.

Also where the skin is saggy due to volume loss, the doctor may use dermal fillers. These can help lift the skin and reduce the appearance and effects of ptosis.

Patients can also receive eye drops to help keep the eyes open for 8 hours. This prevents the need to keep the eyes open by tilting backward.

Congenital ptosis

If you are a parent of a kid who has been living with ptosis, then seeing them struggle with their sight can be painful. If the child did not receive treatment when they were born then it is high time that you seek treatment for your kid before the situation gets worse.

Start by finding a top-notch clinic such as TES clinic. They will have the best facilities and the best doctors for the job. This is crucial to prevent the occurrence of side effects and to make sure that your child gets not only the best treatment but also makes a full recovery.

Final thoughts

Many people with ptosis will want to avoid surgical treatments. However, keep in mind that this is the best way to achieve permanent results. Considering the risks involved, it is highly important that you schedule an appointment with a qualified doctor. He or she should have many years of experience to mitigate the chances of risks or side effects.