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What is it |
Drooping of the eyelids |
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How surgery is carried out |
Tightening and strengthening of levator muscle |
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Medisave-claimable |
Yes |
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Permanent
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Yes |
Ptosis, or droopy eyelids, refers to a pathological drooping of the eyelids. It is a medical condition that not only affects our appearance, but also causes discomfort due to lid heaviness and visual obstruction.
It is possible for ptosis to be present at birth (congenital ptosis), and it is also possible for persons with normal eyelids to acquire ptosis through a variety of causes. These include:
As we age, the muscles that support our eyelids weaken, causing our eyelids to droop. Most ptosis cases are age-related.
Trauma or injury to the eye can weaken or damage the levator aponeurosis, the muscle that lifts the eye. Consequently, this damage can result in upper eyelid drooping.
On the off chance that only one of your eyelids experiences drooping, it might be an aftereffect of a nerve injury or a stye. Routine LASIK or cataract surgery can occasionally result in ptosis due to the levator muscle or tendons in the area getting stretched from the procedure.
Prolonged stretching of the eyelid can cause the eyelid to stretch over time. This stretching causes the eyelid to fall lower, and in some cases, obstruct the person’s ability to see properly.
Ptosis may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, especially if both eyelids droop. These conditions may include a stroke, tumours of the brain, autoimmune disease or malignant cancers of the nerve and muscles.
Often, patients with droopy eyelids are unaware they have the condition as their ptosis might not be severe enough to present an obvious change in physical appearance.
They usually present with these symptoms:
There are several causes of droopy eyelids, varying from natural causes to more serious health conditions; as such, anyone can be at risk of developing this condition.
However, ptosis is most common in older adults due to the ageing process, where the eyelid muscles responsible for opening the upper eyelid stretch over time.
That said, it should be known that persons of every age can develop ptosis. There is also no bias between ethnicity or gender.
The most widely recognized reason for congenital ptosis is improper development of the levator muscle. Kids who are born with ptosis are likely to also suffer from amblyopia, or ‘lazy eye’. This condition may affect the visual ability of the affected children.
Your eye specialist will measure the distance between your upper eyelid margin and corneal light reflex, also known as the margin reflex distance (MRD). A margin reflex distance of 2mm and below qualifies as ptosis.
During consultation, your eye specialist will also check for underlying health abnormalities or pre-existing conditions. This is particularly significant if you complain of headaches, migraines or different symptoms that have appeared since the drooping of eyelids was first observed.
Ptosis treatment is not always purely cosmetic; in many cases, it is medically necessary to relieve visual obstruction. The appropriate treatment method depends on the underlying cause and severity of the drooping eyelid.
If ptosis is caused by aging or is congenital, your eye specialist may determine that it does not pose a health risk. In such cases, treatment is optional and may be pursued only for aesthetic reasons. Plastic surgery can be considered to lift the drooping eyelid for improved appearance.
If an underlying medical condition is responsible for ptosis, the primary focus is to treat that condition first. Once the underlying issue is managed, the drooping may resolve naturally.
If ptosis significantly obstructs vision, surgical intervention may be required, and the procedure is Medisave and insurance claimable. This procedure aims to lift the eyelid and restore normal visual function, ensuring that the condition does not interfere with daily activities.
Ptosis surgery at Asia Retina is carried out by Dr Claudine Pang, Medical Director and ophthalmologist with over 20 years of experience. While droopy eyelids can be corrected with a plastic surgeon, an ophthalmologist can:
This procedure involves the tightening of the levator muscle. The result is a ‘lifting’ of the previously drooping eyelid. For congenital ptosis cases, the eye specialist may suggest for the child to prevent the development of ‘lazy eye’ in the future.
Risks of surgery include dry eye, scratched corneas, and/or hematomas. Human error is also a risk to be considered – an inexperienced surgeon can ‘over-correct’ or ‘under-correct’ ptosis, leaving the eyelid hanging too high, or low.
As such, it is in your best interest to pick an experienced eye surgeon in Singapore.
Ptosis surgery in Singapore can range anywhere from $7,000 to $18,000 depending on the surgeon’s fee, clinic and medication prescribed.
Ptosis surgery is claimable under Medisave if your ophthalmologist certifies the surgery to be medically necessary, i.e. if your vision is significantly affected.
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ptosis is classified as a medical condition. Please check with your insurance provider on insurance claims.
It is possible for ptosis to affect a person temporarily, although it is a permanent condition for most. Though it is possible to recover from ptosis naturally if the underlying condition is resolved, it is best to see an eye doctor or specialist if you feel that your drooping eyelid(s) are affecting your visual quality and ability.
It is recommended to get surgery even if your condition is mild, as ptosis can progress. In severe cases of ptosis, the drooping eyelid can hinder or reduce the visual ability of the afflicted person as it may get in the way of light entering the pupil of the eye.
Ptosis surgery can not only help you regain full, unblocked vision but enhance your appearance and significantly improve your quality of life.
The surgery itself takes about 45 to 90 minutes, with average recovery time of 2 to 3 weeks. It is a common, outpatient procedure that usually does not leave any visible scars.
