Medically reviewed by Dr. Niranjana Bejan Singh. Written to established clinical-education standards (AAO/Mayo/NHS/NEI) and adapted for this hospital. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Ptosis is the medical term for a drooping upper eyelid, which can affect one or both eyes and range from mild to severe enough to cover part or all of the pupil. It can be present from birth (congenital ptosis) or develop later in life due to stretching or weakening of the muscle that lifts the eyelid, nerve problems, or previous eye surgery or trauma. Ptosis correction surgery tightens or reattaches this muscle (or, in some cases, uses a different muscle or a sling) to raise the eyelid to a more normal position.
Who typically needs this
- Children with congenital ptosis severe enough to block vision and risk amblyopia (lazy eye), where surgery may be needed relatively early.
- Adults with age-related or acquired ptosis whose drooping eyelid interferes with reading, driving, or peripheral vision.
- Patients who tilt their head back or raise their eyebrows constantly to see under a drooping lid, which can cause neck and brow strain.
- People whose ptosis is affecting their appearance or self-confidence, once any underlying medical cause has been ruled out or treated.
What to expect
- Before surgery, the surgeon measures the eyelid position, tests the strength of the lifting muscle (levator), and looks for any underlying cause that needs separate treatment.
- The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia with sedation, often with the patient briefly awake so eyelid height can be checked and fine-tuned during surgery.
- The most common technique shortens or tightens the levator muscle or its tendon through an incision in the natural eyelid crease.
- In cases where the levator muscle is very weak, a sling technique may be used, connecting the eyelid to the eyebrow muscle so the eyebrow can help lift the lid.
- The eyelid position and symmetry with the other eye are checked before the incision is closed with fine sutures.
Recovery
- Swelling and bruising around the eyelid are expected for the first one to two weeks and gradually settle.
- Stitches, if not self-dissolving, are typically removed within about a week.
- The eyelid may sit slightly higher or lower than its final position in the first few weeks while swelling resolves.
- Most people return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks, avoiding strenuous exercise and eye rubbing during initial healing.
Risks to know about
- General surgical risks include bleeding, infection, and scarring, though eyelid scars are usually well hidden in the natural crease.
- The eyelid can end up slightly too high, too low, or asymmetric compared with the other side, sometimes requiring a minor follow-up adjustment.
- Because the eyelid may not close fully in the early recovery period, the eye surface can become dry or irritated, occasionally needing lubricating drops or ointment.
- Rarely, changes in eyelid sensation, double vision, or an under- or over-correction that needs further surgery can occur.
Frequently asked questions
Is ptosis surgery just cosmetic?
Not always — when drooping eyelids block part of the vision, correcting ptosis is considered functional surgery, though it also improves appearance.
Will both eyelids be operated on if only one droops?
Sometimes the surgeon adjusts the other eyelid too, because correcting one side can unmask or change the position of the other; this is discussed and planned beforehand.
How long do results last?
Results are generally long-lasting, though further age-related drooping can occur over many years, as it can in eyelids that have not had surgery.
At what age is ptosis surgery done in children?
Timing depends on severity — surgery is done urgently if vision development is at risk, otherwise it may be planned for later childhood; the treating ophthalmologist decides based on individual assessment.
Ready to see us?
Call the appointment desk, or book online — we will confirm your time by phone.
Sources consulted: AAO — What Is Ptosis?, NHS — Drooping eyelid (ptosis) . General medical information — not a substitute for professional diagnosis. Medically reviewed by Dr. Niranjana Bejan Singh.
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