Droopy Eyelids Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences What is droopy eyelids? Droopy eyelids is a term that collectively describes one or more of the following conditions: • Dermatochalasis (lax upper eyelid skin) • Ptosis (lowered upper eyelid) • Eyebrow ptosis (lowered eyebrow) What are the symptoms? • Obliteration of upper eyelid crease (“double eyelid” becoming less obvious or not seen) • Upper eyelid fullness and heaviness • Headache or eyebrow ache • Eye fatigue or tiredness • Blockage of the field of vision e.g. having to force open the eyelids to see What are the treatments for droopy eyelid conditions? These conditions can be corrected with minor day surgery procedures under local anaesthesia with sedation. The sedation is given to you by the anaesthetist through an injection in your vein to calm you during surgery. The procedure may be performed for functional or cosmetic reasons.
Functional surgery is done for severe cases that affect the visual function. • Dermatochalasis is an ageing change characterised by lax, apparently redundant upper eyelid skin due to loss of skin elasticity. It can be treated by blepharoplasty (“double eyelid” surgery) to remove the lax upper eyelid skin and reshape the eyelid crease if necessary.
Figure 1. Dermatochalasis of both upper eyelids
Figure 2. Appearance after upper blepharoplasty
• Ptosis may occur in early life (congenital ptosis) due to abnormal levator muscle development. Untreated ptosis may obscure vision to cause ‘lazy eye’ (amblyopia) in children.
In later life (acquired ptosis), ageing changes, muscle diseases, neurological (nerve) diseases, nerve junction diseases and mechanical problems may cause the condition. Ptosis surgery may be done via an external approach (through the upper eyelid crease) or an internal approach (via the inner surface of the upper eyelid).
Figure 5: Eyebrow ptosis and dermatochalasis.
Figure 6: Appearance after eyebrow lift (browpexy) and upper blepharoplasty.
Figure 3: Ptosis, dermatochalasis & eyebags.
Figure 4: Appearance after ptosis surgery, upper and lower blepharoplasty.
Eyebrow lifting surgery may be performed to treat this condition. A direct eyebrow lift (incision above the eyebrows), browpexy (incision at upper eyelid crease) or endoscopic surgery (via scalp incisions) may be chosen depending on the condition. Scheduling an appointment Should you or a loved one be interested in a consultation with our eye specialists, please contact us at 6555 8828.
• Eyebrow ptosis describes the eyebrow drooping due to ageing and loss of structural support. The upper eyelids appear full and heavy, especially over the outer aspect (hooding) Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, under the National Healthcare Group. Admiralty Medical Centre • (65) 6807 8000 • www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg The information is correct at the time of printing and subject to revision without further notice.
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