There are two main methods to correct eyelid ptosis.
One is by making an incision in the eyelid during the double fold eyelid surgery. The other method involves flipping the eyelid and correcting the weak eyelid muscle known as the levator muscle or the Muller’s muscle from inside the eyelid.
Eyelid ptosis correction can be performed during the conversion of the monolid to a double eyelid. During your consultation The plastic surgeon can evaulate the levator muscle function to check for eyelid ptosis or belepharoptosis.
There are advantages and disadvantages of correcting eyelid ptosis with an incision along the eyelid.
The advantage is that excess skin can be removed while the eyelid ptosis is corrected. The other advantage is that monolid surgery or double fold eyelid surgery can be performed at the same time. Double-lidded eyes can be created at the same time.
The disadvantage of making an incision is that a noticeable scar can be seen on the eyelid. Therefore, the plastic surgeon must make sure that a meticulous and special suturing is performed to minimize scarring on the eyelid at the time of eyelid ptosis correction and blepharoplasty surgery.
The other method of correcting eyelid ptosis is by flipping the eyelid and operating from underneath the eyelid.
The advantage of this method of correcting eyelid ptosis or blepharoptosis is that there will be no visible scar on the eyelid. In addition, the recovery of non-incision eyelid correction will be much faster than the incision technique. This is because the lymphatic system of the eyelid is not disturbed and there is minimal tissue damage during eyelid surgery. The disadvantage of the non-incision method is that the severe case of eyelid ptosis or blepharoptosis cannot adequately be corrected.
Dr. Kenneth Kim specializes in the correction of eyelid ptosis and blepharoptosis via incision and non-incision methods.
He is the creator of the 3-dimensional suture technique, also known as the 3DST. Dr. Kim can correct eyelid ptosis and create the double fold eyelid without making an incision in the eyelid. He has presented on this method to plastic surgeons in both America and South Korea. Dr. Kim also specializes in Korean eyelid surgery where there are minimally visible scars during blepharoptosis correction and Asian blepharoplasty surgery.
Can Eyelid Ptosis Be Corrected Without Making An Incision?
Eyelid ptosis or blepharoptosis is a condition where the eyelid’s elevating muscle, known as the levator muscle is weak. This condition is often diagnosed at the time of the double eyelid surgery or during an Asian blepharoplasty evaluation.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that their small or sleepy-looking eyes are caused by their monolids or because they lack double-lidded eyes. However, the monolid is not typically the cause of sleepy-looking eyes and it is very important to differentiate the exact cause of the appearance of “small eyes” in order to correct the condition.
Asian eyelid surgery or Korean eyelid surgery includes conversion of a monolid to a double eyelid but it also includes correcting a weak eyelid muscle (levator muscle).
If a patient with a monolid has sleepy or weak eyelids, then double lid surgery is performed in addition to the eyelid ptosis correction. The double fold eyelid helps clear the excess skin from drooping down and obstructing the upper visual field in patients with eyelid ptosis.
However, there are patients with eyelid ptosis (blepharoptosis) who also have pre-existing double-lidded eyes. In these particular patients, ptosis correction can be performed without making an incision.
Non-incision ptosis correction is performed by flipping the eyelid and tightening the Mueller’s muscle which is part of the extension of the levator muscle. This has the advantage of minimal swelling and requires no incision to correct the eyelid ptosis. This technique is ideal for patients with a pre-existing double lid and patients who need minor adjustments to their eyelid height or opening.
A thin suture is then placed in the backside of the eyelid. This suture will reinforce the double eyelid fold or it can be tied underneath to avoid affecting the position or height of the double lid.
Dr. Kenneth Kim has performed thousands of eyelid ptosis corrections on their own or in conjunction with double eyelid surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Kim will evaluate the eyelid levator muscle’s function and marginal reflex distance to determine whether or not you have eyelid ptosis.
For patients with eyelid ptosis, Dr. Kim will assess the patient’s eyelid for a monolid or double lid. In patients with a monolid, the patients are recommended double-fold eyelid surgery or a brow lift surgery to remove excess skin from hooding down and obstructing the upper visual field. He will explain in detail the benefits of non-incision eyelid ptosis repair for first-time patients and patients in need of revision.
Correction of Eyelid Ptosis or Blepharoptosis Simultaneously with Double Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid ptosis is a condition where the patient cannot fully open his or her eyes. The eyes often look sleepy or tired. In addition, the eyes do not appear as large as they could. In this situation, eyelid ptosis or blepharoptosis can be corrected simultaneously during double eyelid surgery, also known as Asian eyelid surgery.
The advantage of combining surgeries is that the patient does not have to undergo two separate surgeries for ptosis correction and then for double eyelid surgery. The other advantage is that the patient does not have to undergo two separate recovery processes. Lastly, the plastic surgeon can determine the patient’s ideal double eyelid fold height and then adjust the ptosis correction accordingly to even out the tension of the double eyelid fold or double eyelid crease.
In cases where the patient does not have excess skin, then a ptosis correction can be performed with a suture technique double eyelid surgery. This is called “3-dimensional suture technique double eyelid surgery.” It is also known as 3-D suture technique double eyelid surgery. The advantage of the 3-D suture technique double eyelid surgery is that a skin incision is not made. Therefore, the double eyelid fold looks much more natural. Incision double eyelid surgery also heals with minimal scarring. Both techniques heal with minimal scarring and the double eyelid fold looks as natural as possible. In some cases where the patient already has a double eyelid fold, then a ptosis correction can be performed without making any incision by flipping the eyelid and correcting the eyelid ptosis from the posterior approach.
This is an advanced technique in Asian eyelid surgery but it can also be applicable in non-Asian patients to correct eyelid ptosis.
Dr. Kenneth Kim is a Los Angeles-based, board-certified plastic surgeon who has expertise in both double eyelid surgery and eyelid ptosis correction. Dr. Kim has published numerous articles in both double eyelid surgery and the creation of the natural double eyelid fold. These techniques include non-incision double eyelid surgery and incision double eyelid surgery. Dr. Kenneth Kim is also a published expert in the correction of eyelid ptosis and revision eyelid ptosis techniques.
Dr. Kim lectures both in the United States and in South Korea about performing double eyelid surgery and correction of eyelid ptosis.
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