Ptosis Repair

Eyelid Ptosis

Ptosis is drooping of the eyelid. There are many causes. Most cases occur because the eyelid muscle (levator) that is responsible for moving the lid up and down and maintaining its position has become stretched or weakened. To repair a drooping eyelid, the levator muscle is identified and repositioned to its proper place. Repair of droopy eyelid is often combined with cosmetic removal of excess skin and fat of the upper lid, as necessary.

Post Operative Expectations

The goal of surgery is to elevate the eyelids to a position that allows clear vision, improves peripheral vision and provides symmetry. A reasonable expectation is to have eyelids that are even to within one millimeter. Sometimes patients will experience dryness post operatively that usually improves with time. Rarely, some patients may experience incomplete closure of their eyes that requires the use of night time lubricating ointment. Less than 10% of patients require additional revisions.

Pre-Operative Instructions

1. Please see the enclosed medication list with respect to avoiding medications that can contribute to bleeding particularly including aspirin.
2. Please shower the morning of surgery.
3. A friend or family member should bring you to the surgery center and drive you home after surgery. Plan to be in the office from one to three hours depending on the area involved.
4. Pre-operatively, if you have any questions, call the office between 9am – 5pm Monday through Friday. Post-operatively, you may call the doctor on call at any time.
5. Bring all medications you take with you the day of surgery for us to verify.
6. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.
7. Please take any heart or blood pressure medication you have with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
8. Please do not wear any makeup, and remove all nail polish.
9. Please take all prescribed medication after surgery as directed, until gone.

Post-Operative Instructions

1. Apply ice bags or frozen corn in bag as continuously as possible for the first 36 hours (20 minutes every hour). Begin using heat by applying a moist washcloth or hot water bottle for 20 minutes, 2 times a day after 48 hours.
2. Elevate head (use 2-3 pillows or sleep in a recliner chair) after eyelid surgery for the first 2 nights.
3. Apply ointment to incisions three times a day. Apply small amount in the eyes at bedtime. Your vision will be blurry when ointment is used.
4. No make-up to incisions for three weeks.
5. No strenuous exercise for the first 48 hours, then normal activity unless otherwise directed.
6. Bathing and hair washing may resume immediately. Avoid direct shower pressure on all incisions.
7. No aspirin or aspirin products for one week after your operation. (Tylenol may be used).
8. Clean incisions gently with moist cotton balls as needed.
9. Use pain medications as directed.
10. Use all other medications as directed.
11. Avoid bumping the incision sites.
12. Call Novus Clinic at 330-630-9699 at any time of the day or night if problems or questions should arise.
13. Call the office today or tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. regarding your follow-up appointment if you have not received one already.