Ptosis, also commonly known as drooping eyelids, is a condition where the upper eyelid droops over the eye to an abnormal or bothersome degree. The reasons for getting ptosis treated can be out of aesthetic and/or medical consideration. From the aesthetic viewpoint, having ptosis may make one look perpetually tired, or appear older than their actual age. In more serious cases, ptosis can affect one’s vision and become a hindrance to their daily activities. People with ptosis may also experience headaches as a result of straining their forehead muscles, or even encounter accidents, as functional obstruction of the visual field, may be potentially dangerous in situations such as driving.
Ptosis is directly related to the functioning (or malfunctioning) of the levator muscle, as which is the main muscle known as the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid. The cause of ptosis can be congenital (i.e., genetic) or acquired later on in one’s life.
Congenital ptosis usually presents as a birth defect. It is most commonly due to the maldevelopment of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, and usually affects only one eye.
A more common cause of ptosis is ageing, as skin becomes lax and the levator muscles elevating the upper eyelid become attenuated when one grows older. Most people notice the beginnings of ptosis in their late 30s or early 40s. We also see many elderly people affected by this condition.
In some cases, ptosis can also be caused by injuries to the levator muscle or nerves controlling the muscle, as a result of physical trauma.
Droopy eyelids may also be related to other medical conditions, such as tumours, neurological disorders, infections, and stroke.
While the symptoms of ptosis are usually apparent, a proper medical examination is still required to understand the causes and extent of the condition, so that a suitable treatment can be prescribed. The following are the types of examinations that may take place:
The diagnosis for ptosis can take place when your overall eye health is assessed by the ophthalmologist during a comprehensive eye exam. To determine the quality of your vision and to see if it is being affected by ptosis, a visual field test or a test measuring the Marginal Reflex Distance (MRD 1) may be performed. The Marginal Reflex Distance refers to the distance measured from the pupil’s centre to the upper lid. In order for one’s condition to be diagnosed as ptosis that poses a functional problem coverable by insurance or Medisave claim, the MRD measurement needs to be 2 millimetres or less.
To determine the degree of severity of the patient’s ptosis, we also perform a test which looks at the levator function. During the test, the doctor holds a thumb against the patient’s eyebrow while they look downwards, so as to ensure that only the levator muscle in the eyelid is used. The patient is then to look upwards and the how much the eyelid moved is measured.
The following measurements of eyelid movement indicate varying levels of ptosis severity:
Another important factor to determine the severity of ptosis is the measurement of droop.
The above are some standard tests to be taken during ptosis diagnosis, but the exact technique or recommended treatment for ptosis correction still depends on the underlying cause of the condition as well as each individual’s needs. Feel free to book a consultation with us for a thorough diagnosis.
The correction approach would vary according to the cause and severity. Mild eyelid drooping due to mainly lax skin may be addressed through non-surgical techniques. In these cases, non-surgical treatments such as radiofrequency or neurotoxin therapy may be recommended. For controlled, longer-term reversal of eyelid drooping, surgery to elevate the upper eyelid margin is the best option. This involves accurately correcting the deformity causing the ptosis through advancement or resection of the levator muscle, or utilising other muscles to help raise the upper eyelid.
Simultaneously, aesthetic principles can be applied to achieve a pleasing upper eyelid appearance. Your plastic surgeon will perform a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your droopy upper eyelids and recommend the most appropriate course of management.
Dr Adrian Ooi and Dr Pek Chong Han both perform this surgery. They are MOH-accredited, board-certified plastic surgeons with extensive training and experience in modern reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Both doctors exercises a patient-first approach focusing on embracing individual uniqueness when designing customised treatment plans. On top of their extensive experience and knowledge to perform a wide spectrum of aesthetic and procedures, our surgeons also harnesses advanced plastic surgery techniques and technology to achieved enhanced precision, more ideal outcomes, and smoother recovery for their patients.
Ptosis surgery (also known as a form of upper blepharoplasty) is generally performed under local anaesthesia. In short, an incision is made in the eyelid to access the levator muscle. This is followed by levator muscle advancement or resection through different access points. The ideal end result, after the incision is sutured up, is a corrected look with relatively invisible scarring.
The cost for ptosis correction surgery starts from $5,000, but the actual cost depends on factors such as the surgical technique used, the complexity of the patient’s condition, as well as the surgeon fees, anaesthetist’s fees, operating facilities fee, and medication prescribed.
In short, yes. Ptosis surgery in Singapore is Medisave/ insurance claimable. You will need to get an official visual assessment by an ophthalmologist to certify that your ptosis affects your vision significantly based on conditions stipulated by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Ptosis surgery is a relatively safe procedure in Singapore with high success rates. It is also a common treatment that most board-certified plastic surgeons are well-versed in. That being said, a few possible complications may arise from under- or overcorrection of the condition. In that case, further treatment would be required. Typically, patients also experience minor swelling or bruising around the eyes. To minimise the risks, we provide a thorough assessment and diagnosis pre-surgery, and offer a surgical procedure that is highly tailored to each patient’s need to ensure that the correct level of muscle correction is made.
Aside from the minor swelling and bruising which should diminish in 1-2 weeks, patients may also experience blurred vision for a short period of time. Though this is an outpatient procedure, be prepared to take the recommended days off to get sufficient rest. At Polaris, we are invested in your aftercare, and will schedule follow-up appointments that assess whether the healing process is going smoothly, with no complications.
In most cases, the results after ptosis correction surgery are more or less permanent. Only a small percentage of patients require a revision in future. During the early stages of recovery, you may notice some unevenness in your look due to swelling. Thus, it is best to wait for swelling to go down completely before you assess the final results.
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