
Ptosis Repair for Drooping Eyelids
Ptosis, also called blepharoptosis, occurs when the upper eyelid sits lower than it should. Depending on how much the eyelid droops, ptosis can interfere with your vision, make your eyes feel tired or strained, and cause you to compensate by raising your eyebrows or tilting your head back.
At Tower Clock Eye Center, ptosis repair is performed to restore a more normal position of the upper eyelid.
Dr. Jack Komro, a fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeon, specializes in conditions affecting the eyelids and the structures surrounding the eyes. His specialized training allows him to evaluate the underlying cause of a drooping eyelid and determine the most appropriate approach for each patient.
If a drooping eyelid is affecting your vision or quality of life, schedule a consultation with Tower Clock Eye Center to find out whether ptosis repair may be right for you.
What Causes Ptosis?
Determining why the eyelid is drooping is an important part of planning treatment.
Age-Related Ptosis
The most common form of adult ptosis develops as the tissues that help lift and support the eyelid change over time. The structure associated with the eyelid-lifting muscle can stretch, thin, or become displaced, causing the eyelid to sit lower.
Congenital Ptosis
Some people are born with a drooping eyelid. Congenital ptosis may occur because the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid did not develop normally.
Ptosis Following Eye Surgery
Ptosis can sometimes develop after eye or eyelid surgery. Changes involving the eyelid muscles or their supporting structures can result in a lower eyelid position.
Trauma or Other Conditions
Injury involving the eyelid, nerves or muscles can also cause ptosis. In some situations, a drooping eyelid may be associated with an underlying neurological or muscular condition.
Because the causes of ptosis vary, a thorough eye and eyelid examination is important before treatment.
Ptosis Repair vs. Blepharoplasty
Ptosis repair and blepharoplasty are different procedures, although they are sometimes performed together.
Ptosis repair addresses the position of the upper eyelid itself. The goal is to raise an eyelid that sits too low.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty primarily addresses excess skin and other tissues of the upper eyelid.
A patient may have ptosis, excess upper eyelid skin, or both. When both conditions are present, treating them together may provide a more complete result.
This distinction is important because removing excess skin alone does not necessarily correct true ptosis. An evaluation by Dr. Jack Komro, an oculofacial plastic surgeon, can help determine what is actually causing the eyelid to appear or function abnormally.
What Can I Expect From Ptosis Surgery?
Your experience will depend on the type of ptosis you have and the surgical technique recommended.
After surgery, swelling and bruising around the eyelids are common and gradually improve as healing progresses. Your eyelid position will continue to settle during the recovery period.
Achieving symmetry between the two eyelids can be particularly challenging, which is why careful evaluation and surgical treatment by an Eyelid Surgeon (Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon) is important.
Why Choose Tower Clock Eye Center for Ptosis Repair?
Tower Clock Eye Center offers specialized care for conditions affecting the eyelids and surrounding structures. Dr. Jack Komro is a fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeon who brings specialized expertise in eyelid surgery to patients in Northeast Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ptosis Repair
Yes. Ptosis is the medical term for drooping of the upper eyelid. It occurs when the upper eyelid sits lower than its normal position.
Yes. A sufficiently drooping eyelid can block part of the visual field. Some people compensate by raising their eyebrows or tilting their head to see more clearly.
Ptosis repair is a type of eyelid surgery specifically intended to correct the position of a drooping eyelid. It differs from blepharoplasty, which primarily removes excess eyelid skin and may address other tissues.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the ptosis. Some acquired forms of ptosis may have nonsurgical treatment options, but surgical repair is commonly used when the eyelid position needs to be corrected.
Yes. Ptosis can affect one eyelid or both eyelids. The degree of drooping may also differ between the two eyes.
It can be either, depending on the circumstances. When a drooping eyelid interferes with vision, ptosis repair may be considered reconstructive surgery. Ptosis can also affect appearance, eye contact, and facial symmetry.
The two procedures address different problems. Ptosis repair raises a low eyelid while blepharoplasty primarily addresses excess eyelid skin. Some patients have both conditions and may benefit from treatment of both.
An examination by Dr. Jack Komro, an oculofacial plastic surgeon, can determine which condition is contributing to your symptoms.
Dr. Jack Komro is an oculofacial plastic surgeon who specializes in conditions involving the eyelids and structures surrounding the eyes. Other ophthalmic surgeons may also perform eyelid procedures, but Dr. Komro’s fellowship training and expertise is specifically focused on eyelid surgery.
Take the Next Step
A drooping eyelid can affect more than your appearance. If ptosis is interfering with your vision, making your eyes feel tired, or changing the way you see yourself, an evaluation can help determine what is causing it and what treatment options are available.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jack Komro at Tower Clock Eye Center to discuss your drooping eyelids and whether ptosis repair may be right for you.