Ptosis Correction Surgery
in Korea
Ever seen someone with a sleepy-eye
appearance?
Did you know there is a medical term for it?
Yeap, Ptosis with a
silent P it is. Ptosis is strictly a condition/symptom and NOT a disease marked
by a drooping upper eyelid that at times can be severe enough to cover the
pupil and affect vision. Ptosis is mostly a result of weak eyelid muscles or
separation from the muscle tendon. Ptosis can be
·
Congenital (Muscular dystrophies)
·
Due to;
-
Neurological disease (Diabetic neuropathy)
-
Muscular disease
-
Neuromuscular disease (Myasthenia gravis)
-
Stroke
-
Injury
-
Growths (Brain tumor, pituitary cancer)
While
ptosis can be improved a bit with exercises, it can only be fixed for good with
a ptosis correction surgery. Speaking of
which, ‘ptosis correction’ double eyelid surgery
is one of the most commonly practiced surgeries in Korea.
Do I Need Ptosis Correction Surgery?
Do
your eyes need this surgery? Well, read on to learn whether you’re an ideal
candidate for the surgery or not. While a sagging eyelid that affects the
vision is clearly a major symptom, there are other hints as well. These
include;
·
Extremely dry or watery eyes
·
Weary or tired looking face
·
Saggy skin around eyelids
·
Appearance of wrinkles (forehead), since forehead muscles are
now used more in an attempt to keep eyes open.
·
Frequent headaches or migraines since drooping of eyelids.
What is Ptosis Correction & How is It
carried out?
Correction of ptosis with a surgery aims at pulling eyelid muscles upwards
assuaging saggy or drooping eyelid and giving eye a vivid shape. When managing
ptosis, there are two approaches, surgical and non-surgical
ptosis correction. The 1-2 hour surgery carried under local anesthesia or
anesthesia with sedation is a minor procedure that doesn’t require
hospitalization.
There
are various ways to go about the surgical management guided by the condition of
your eyes;
·
Incision ptosis correction
·
Partial incision method
·
Non-incisional ptosis correction
Incisional Ptosis Correction
Incisional
Ptosis correction may involve several techniques depending on the type of
ptosis. These techniques are aponeurosis advancement, plication or resection of
Levator or Muller’s Muscle. Let us briefly discuss the various operations.
Incisional
ptosis correction itself involves reduction, strengthening and reattachment of
levator muscle. The extent of reduction depends on the severity of ptosis.
·
Incision is made and distal fascia of the lax muscle
dissected
·
Once the muscle is partially detached from the tarsal plate,
aponeurotic tissue is resected, shortened and then stitched to an appropriate
position of the tarsal plate. The position and height are guided by the
severity of ptosis here
·
Once the muscle is fixed, superficial eyelid skin is stitched
and fixated to create double folds.
Levator Resection is a technique used when
levator function is not normal, for example in congenital ptosis. This involves
muscle tightening in a manner similar to aponeurosis tightening.
Muller
Muscle Resection is another technique that involves giving an incision on the
inside of eyelid followed by shortening, tightening of the Muller’s muscle with
the help of stitches. Stitches are removed 3 weeks after the surgery.
You
are an ideal incisional ptosis surgery candidate if;
-
Eyelids cover 1/3rd of the pupil
- Eyelids are saggy with a large volume of fat
- Eyes are asymmetric severely
- The skin around eyelids is thick
Removal
of stitches is mostly done on the 7th day of operation
Partial Incision method
Yet
another way of achieving of a natural and permanent double eyelid that best
works for people who have had a failed non-incisional experience or if the
individual has an eyelid with thick fat tissue that is not suitable for the
non-incision method.
The procedure involves making a partial incision of 2-3mm for removal of fat
tissue on the eyelid. It is a combination of both the buried suture method and
the surgery. The main goal of the method is to release fat completely
(surrounded by the orbital septum) and tuck Muller muscle towards conjunctiva,
so that ptosis and sunken eyes are corrected.
Non-incisional Ptosis Correction
Non-incisional
ptosis correction on the other hand involves muscle readjustment through
conjunctiva by flipping the eyelid. It involves making a hole on the double
eyelid line and pulling the muscle and tarsal plate. You are certainly an ideal
candidate for this type if;
-
you have weak eye-opening muscles and enough power to open eyes
There’s light drooping of eyelids
You’re concerned about scarring after the surgery.
Your eyelids are less fatty
There’s adequate thickness of skin around upper eyelids
Ptosis Correction- The Plus Points
Surgical
ptosis correction is a magic bullet that offers promising results. Here are a
few plus points of the procedure that might help you in making your final
decision;
-
Improved visual function and ocular fatigue
- Improved social interaction
- Improved quality of life
- Assuages eyelash inversion problems
- Formation of natural looking double eyelids
- Minimal scarring
- Normal routine and activities aren’t disturbed due to surgery
- Lesser side effects and need of revision if professionals are skilled and experienced
- If a double eyelid surgery is also done, a beautiful shape of eye can be achieved.
- During a non-incisional correction, patient can check their eye shape by opening and closing their eyes eventually resulting in higher satisfaction rates.
Needless
to mention the skill and expertise of your surgeon is the single most important
factor that determines the success and outcome of the procedure. Professionals
at JW Eye Surgery Center make sure that with their 17 years of experience and
provision of medical quality services, patients leave satisfied, content and
most importantly with a boosted confidence.
Ptosis
Correction without Surgery
While
undoubtedly surgery is the only way of fixing ptosis for good, there are
certain exercises you can do to improve your condition. According to the
National Stroke Association eye exercises that encourage the use of affected
eye and eyelid muscles are recommended in order to increase the muscle
tolerance. Exercises that should be performed on an hourly basis include;
-
Eye rolling (full rotation)
- Eye movement in figure 8 movements
- Patch Exercises that encourage the use of affected eye only and covering the other with a patch so that it puts double the effort for proper viewing
- Trataka exercise for ptosis involving fixing eye on an object and then holding the gaze for as long as you’re comfortable
