Having beautiful, younger-looking eyes is something everyone wants. In fact, the eyes are very important in human attraction. We use them to communicate as well as to express our emotions and interests. The eye area, on the other hand, is one of the most delicate in our bodies. As a result, it is extremely susceptible to changes.
The appearance of your eyes changes as you get older. The skin surrounding this area thins and loses its elasticity, The muscle may also become weaker and relaxed. As a result, your upper lids may appear saggy and droopy. They may hang above your eyes and make them look less prominent. This condition is known as droopy eyelid or ptosis. Natural ageing is one of the leading reasons for developing this problem. However, there are numerous other factors that can cause your eyelids to droop, including medical conditions and genetics.
Ptosis is usually treated most effectively with droopy eyelid/ptosis repair surgery. However, many people wonder if it is possible to fix this problem without going under the knife.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with more information about ptosis correction without surgery. So please keep reading!
Ptosis, also known as droopy eyelids, occurs when one or both of your upper eyelids fall downward and appear saggy. This condition can develop in the elderly due to age-related changes. As you age, your eyelid skin and muscles may lose strength and begin to sag. Droopy eyelids may also be caused by eye trauma or previous eye surgery. In some cases, this problem can be linked to certain medical conditions such as Myasthenia gravis and diabetes.
Ptosis which is developed later in life is known as acquired ptosis. However, in some cases, the condition is present from birth. This is known as congenital ptosis, and it is usually caused by a problem with the muscle that lifts the eyelid (levator muscle).
Congenital ptosis and ptosis caused by an injury or medical condition are usually more severe and affect only one eye. Age-related ptosis, on the other hand, tends to affect both eyelids but is normally milder and less noticeable.
If you have droopy eyelids, make sure to see a doctor. He or she will determine the cause of the condition and advise you on the best way to treat it. In general, plastic surgery is one of the most effective and widely recommended treatment options for droopy eyelids.
Plastic surgery is one of the best and most effective ways to treat ptosis. However, in some cases, you may be able to improve the appearance of your eyelids without undergoing surgery. The effectiveness of non-surgical treatments will depend on the underlying cause of the ptosis condition, as well as its severity.
If you have mild eyelid droopiness caused by ageing, some non-surgical procedures may be beneficial to you. These include Botox, dermal fillers, radio frequency and laser treatments. Botox and filler injections, for example, may help you raise your brows and achieve more prominent eyes. Radiofrequency and laser procedures can also be used to lift and tighten the skin around the eyes and improve their appearance.
Mild ptosis in children can sometimes be treated through eye drops or a special device that supports the eyelid called a ptosis crutch. However, because congenital ptosis is often caused by a problem with the underlying muscle structure, doctors usually prefer surgical correction over non-invasive treatments.
If you have severe ptosis which is caused by eye injury or medical disease then it might be best to consider getting cosmetic eyelid surgery. Generally, there are two procedures you can benefit from - ptosis surgery and blepharoplasty.
If your problem is mostly functional, ptosis repair may be a better option. This surgical procedure will help you in tightening the eyelid muscle so that you can properly lift and open your upper lid.
If your eyelids appear droopy and saggy due to excess skin and tissue then you may choose to undergo blepharoplasty. This procedure removes the extra skin from your upper lids giving your eyes a refreshed and energetic look. You can also combine both ptosis repair and blepharoplasty to achieve even better results.
Your oculoplastic surgeon will help you determine which surgical procedure is best for you.
Here are some non-surgical cosmetic procedures that may help you improve mild sagging in the upper eyelids caused by ageing.
Botulinum toxin or simply Botox is a popular facial rejuvenation treatment. It is primarily used to reduce wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth. However, Botox injections can also help you lift your upper eyelids and make your eyes appear larger and more open.
Botox is a neurotoxin that strategically relaxes certain muscles to allow for the unopposed action of other muscles. What does this have to do with a brow lift? When it comes to brow position, there are two main muscles that affect it: a brow elevator called the frontalis muscle and a brow depressor which is a set of muscles called the corrugators, procerus muscle, and orbicularis oculi muscle. So, when the injection is applied to the depressors (glabella complex), the muscles are frozen, allowing your brow to rise.
When it comes to skin ageing, dermal fillers are another very popular solution. They can restore lost volume in specific areas, reducing wrinkles and making the skin appear firmer and smoother.
But how filler injections can help you correct eyebrow or eyelid droopiness? They can be administrated into hollows in the upper lids and brows to add volume and therefore create a more youthful look. This means that the dermal filler treatment will only be effective if your skin is sagging as a result of volume loss in the upper lid area. The procedure cannot address ptosis caused by a problem with the eyelid muscles.
This is a non-invasive procedure used for skin tightening and rejuvenation. It uses radiofrequency energy to heat up the skin and give it a lifted and firmer appearance.
This treatment might be beneficial for patients who have mild to moderate ptosis caused by loss of skin elasticity. The heat will promote collagen production which in turn will tighten the skin and make it look younger. The procedure is quick, not painful and doesn't require recovery. However, you should understand that Radiofrequency treatment can only help you with sagging skin, it has nothing to do with weak or relaxed muscles of the eyelid. So, if your ptosis is related to a neurological disorder then it might be better to consider surgery.
Laser treatment is another option for patients with mild to moderate droopy eyelids caused by ageing and loss of skin elasticity. The procedure uses an infrared light laser to heat the skin and stimulate collagen production. This gives the skin a tighter and firmer appearance.
The laser treatment is minimally-invasive, scarless and requires little to no downtime. However, as with Radiofrequency, this procedure can only tighten the eyelid skin, it cannot improve the levator function.
For mild to moderate cases of ptosis, the doctors may sometimes recommend non-surgical treatments such as eye drops and ptosis crutch.
Eye drops may be appropriate for those with mild ptosis or who are looking for a temporary solution. These medications are intended to contract the levator palpebrae superioris, one of the muscles that elevate your eyelids. It is essential to see a doctor before using any eye drops for ptosis.
This option is suitable for people who wear glasses. Ptosis crutches are special devices that attach to the frames of your glasses to support your upper lids. Depending on whether one or both of your eyelids are affected, the crutch can be adjusted to one or both sides of the frames.
One of the best and most effective treatments for congenital and acquired ptosis is ptosis surgery. Through this procedure, the plastic surgeon can tighten the levator muscle and elevate the upper eyelids to a normal height. This is done by making a small incision hidden in the crease of the lid so there should be no scar afterwards. The treatment can not only improve your aesthetic appearance but also the functionality of the lid muscle and your vision.
Ptosis surgery is normally done on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia. Depending on its complexity, it sometimes may be performed under general anaesthesia. It usually has one week to 10 days recovery period. Most patients experience mild side effects such as swelling and bruising. The discomfort during the recovery is very mild and can be easily reduced with painkiller medications.
Ptosis or drooping eyelid can cause sagging or hooding of the upper lids. It can make your eyes look smaller and less attractive. In more severe cases, the condition can make it difficult to keep your eyes open, which may affect your visual field.
Ptosis can occur later in life but it may also be present at birth. The most successful treatment of this issue is surgery. This is especially true when the eyelid drooping is neurogenic or caused by trauma. When ptosis occurs as a result of loss of skin elasticity or other age-related changes then some non-surgical procedures may help improve the problem.
Patients who are suffering from ptosis should always consult a doctor. He or she will help them determine the cause of the condition and its severity as well as recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Dr. Shenthilkumar Naidu (Dr. Shens) is a Ministry of Health accredited Consultatn Plastic Surgeon with extensive expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is renowned for his advanced techniques in body contouring and aesthetic enhancements. For more information, visit Shens Clinic.
Monday – Friday: 09:00am – 06:00pm
Saturday: 09:00am – 02:00pm
Sun and PH: Closed
(Strictly by appointment only)
Copyright ⓒ Shens Clinic | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions .