Ptosis is a medical term that refers to when excess skin begins to hang over the eyes. There are many different causes for ptosis, and determining the exact cause can be essential in determining the best path forward for treating it. Below, we look at the top 5 causes of eyelid ptosis.
Although ptosis is not a medically dangerous issue per se, it’s aesthetically unpleasant and can raise medical issues if the problem becomes too severe.
Top 5 Causes of Eyelid Ptosis
If you’re suffering from ptosis and are curious about your options for ptosis repair, then take a look at this review on how to identify the causes of this obnoxious medical condition.
1. You Are Born with It
Many people are born with ptosis, and this kind of circumstance is more common than one might initially expect.
If this is the case, there’s a very strong chance that the condition will dissipate over time. For this reason, there’s an additional strong chance that the physician will decide to hold off on taking any serious medical intervention until it becomes clear that this issue will persist.
2. Aging
The eyes and eyelids are one of the first parts of the body that exhibit the signs of aging. Beginning as early as one’s mid-30s, the body can begin exhibiting the early signs of ptosis.
By middle age, the chance of developing a more severe form of ptosis increases dramatically. These situations usually call for invasive surgery.
3. Injury or Disease
Traumatic injury to the eyes or eyelids can also induce ptosis. On the other hand, certain diseases and the formation of tumors can also create the conditions for sagging eyelids.
4. Surgery
Sometimes, eyelid surgery gone awry can also induce ptosis. Certain surgeries create the conditions for ptosis if performed improperly. Examples of the types of surgeries that can create ptosis accidentally are LASIK or cataract surgery.
If you end up going in for treatment to rectify the inconsistencies of a botched surgery, this is known as a revision surgery. Sometimes this is even performed to rectify the results of an initial eyelid surgery. This type of procedure is known as revision eyelid surgery.
5. Nerve Damage
Damage to the nerves can also create the conditions for ptosis. The nerves enervate and energize every part of the body. And when something goes awry with this part of the body, the muscles and skin surrounding the damaged nerve can lose their elasticity.
Treating Ptosis
There are several options for treatment in terms of ptosis repair. If you’re experiencing only mild ptosis, then there’s a chance that your physician might opt not to treat it at all while it’s in that state.
The primary method of treatment for more severe ptosis is eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty. During a blepharoplasty, a physician manipulates the folds and muscles of the eyelids in order to create a tightened and revitalized appearance for the patient.
There are several different types of eyelid surgery, with different ones focusing on different areas of the body. Upper eyelid surgery focuses on the upper eyelids, while lower eyelid surgery focuses on the lower eyelids.
In the case of ptosis, an upper blepharoplasty is called for, as this is the type of treatment that focuses its efforts on the skin of the upper eyelids.
In the case of childhood ptosis, your physician will likely decide to wait and see if the problem is resolved with time before enacting any surgical methods. This may be treated differently if the ptosis is especially severe.
Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation
If you do decide to undergo surgery in order to attempt to rectify your ptosis, you’ll undergo a pre-surgical consultation with your physician to ensure safety and security in the process.
You will have the chance to learn more about some of the specifics of your impending treatment by scheduling a consultation with your physician.
You will know exactly what to anticipate and be given a timeframe for your procedure and recuperation time periods. This can help you feel more at ease about your forthcoming procedure. Along with receiving helpful information on the expenses of your surgery, you’ll also learn about any financing alternatives you might have.
The dangers associated with eyelid surgery will also be discussed with you in case something goes wrong during the process.
The Ptosis Experts of Austin
Texas Neuro Eye and Plastic Surgery is the premier destination for ptosis repair in Texas. If you’re in Austin or the surrounding area and would like to investigate your options for ptosis repair, contact our oculoplastic surgeon today in order to schedule an appointment.