Facts about weak eye muscles

Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid) — What Is It?

Ptosis, or droopy eyelid, is a condition in which the upper eyelid falls lower than normal and partially covers the pupil or cornea. This causes the eyes to appear half-open, making the person look sleepy, tired, or less refreshed.

Types of Ptosis

1. Congenital Ptosis
   This type occurs from birth. A common characteristic is the absence of a visible eyelid crease. In severe cases, it may lead to amblyopia (lazy eye).
2. Acquired Ptosis
   This type develops later in life and can occur from several causes, such as:

• Neurological disorders affecting nerve signals to the muscles, such as Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
• Eye injuries or trauma
• Aging and weakening of the eyelid muscles

Modern lifestyle and environmental factors may also increase the risk of developing ptosis earlier than usual, including:

• PM 2.5 pollution, which may trigger eye allergies and frequent eye rubbing
• Harsh eye makeup removal, causing stress and thinning of the eyelid muscles
• Frequent contact lens use, especially big-eye contact lenses, which may repeatedly rub against the eyelid muscles during blinking, leading to stretching and weakening of the muscles over time

3. Pseudo-Ptosis
   This condition is not true muscle weakness. It may be caused by dry eyes or eye irritation, which makes people squint frequently, giving the appearance of droopy eyelids.
   
   

How to Check if You May Have Ptosis

1. Uneven eye size
2. The upper eyelid covers too much of the iris (black part of the eye)
3. Forehead wrinkles appearing when trying to open the eyes
4. Raised eyebrows while opening the eyes, especially if one side is higher than the other
5. Hollow-looking upper eyelids when opening the eyes
6. Difficulty opening the eyes when pressing down on the forehead

Treatment: Ptosis Correction Surgery

Ptosis correction surgery is designed to strengthen and adjust the eyelid muscles responsible for opening the eyes. Since eyelid muscle strength varies from person to person, the surgical technique must be customized for each individual case.

Ptosis Correction Technique at Sky Clinic

At Sky Clinic, ptosis correction is performed using a hidden-incision technique along the natural eyelid crease. This approach allows the surgeon to adjust the eyelid muscle structure while minimizing visible scarring. The procedure is often combined with double eyelid surgery for a more balanced and natural-looking result.

Important Considerations Before Surgery

As mentioned above, ptosis correction surgery is intended specifically for patients with weakened eyelid-opening muscles. If the eyelid muscles function normally, this procedure may not be necessary.

Accurate diagnosis is therefore extremely important, as it helps determine the most appropriate surgical approach for each individual.