Hello Everyone,
This post is the fifth of the blog series “Technological Advancements in Asian Eyelid Surgery.” In the last post, I introduced the ptosis repair. In this post, I will go deeper into the pathophysiology of eyelid ptosis.
Ptosis is the medical term for the drooping of the eyelid, which occurs due to a weakened elevating function of the upper eyelid. Ptosis can occur in one eye or both and may be associated with a range of physical problems, such as forehead wrinkles, headaches due to eye and brow strain, or the inability to read for a prolonged period of time. In an ideal eye, 80 to 90% of the color aspect of the eye (i.e iris) is visible. Those with a lower percentage visibility are considered to have ptosis. In addition to being a hereditary condition, ptosis may be caused due to old age, as a result of a neurologic disease, or as a consequence of trauma and injury. The gradual weakening of the eyelid muscle from the aging process accounts for the high occurrence of ptosis seen in elderly patients.
In self-diagnosing for ptosis, it is necessary to observe one’s eyelid level when at a normal and completely relaxed resting state. Many people naturally tend to raise their eyebrows when looking in the mirror, and thus patients may often miss the signs of ptosis through the use of a mirror. The most efficient method of diagnosis is by photographs. Patients will be able to see the signs of their disorder within the photos of themselves.
The motivations for ptosis correction fall under three main categories. Patients who seek ptosis correction for aesthetic reasons feel their day to day interactions are hampered by the harsh or unfriendly appearance given by the alignment of their eyes. Those diagnosed with ptosis have their eyelids positioned below the ideal height and thus give off a droopy or sleepy look. Aside from general aesthetic insecurities, another primary reason addresses the dysfunctionality in movement of one’s eyes. Patients who suffer from ptosis experience difficulties when opening their eyes and are forced to strain their eyebrows and wrinkle their forehead. Moreover, patients seeking double eyelid surgery must undergo ptosis correction as a prerequisite procedure in order to avoid an exacerbation or emphasis of their ptosis condition. The core principle of eyelid surgery involves the anchoring of the eyelid skin to the eye elevating muscle. This places an additional weight onto the muscle, which negatively affects ptosis patients who cannot tolerate this additional weight due to the weak muscle of their eyes. Thus, before undergoing double eyelid surgery or revision double eyelid surgery, it is crucial to diagnose and correct the ptosis condition to achieve the best possible result desired.
Stay tuned for the next post, which will comprehensively discuss the 3D suture technique (3D ST™), which involves Dream Medical Group’s most advanced non-incisional technique for creating a flawless double eyelid crease.
Thank you for reading! Please feel free to comment and ask questions!
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