HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT YOUR EYELIDS are drooping and either you are having a hard time seeing through your eyelashes or you just don’t like the way your eyes look? Maybe your eyelids are drooping, and you have to bend your neck back to even read a book or drive your car.
Droopy eyelids can affect adults of all ages; however it occurs more frequently with increasing age. Sometimes the eyelids droop after having been stretched or weakened (through contact lens use, cataract surgery or other causes). Droopy eyelids can be a symptom of a medical condition known as PTOSIS.
The term “ptosis” originates from the Greek word ‘falling” and refers to a drooping body part. Blepharoptosis is upper eyelid drooping with the eyes in a gaze position.
A drooping eyelid is most often due to:
- Weakness of the muscle that raises the eyelid
- Damage to the nerves that control that muscle
- Looseness of the skin of the upper eyelids
A drooping eyelid can also be:
- Caused by the normal aging process
- Present before birth
- The result of an injury or disease
Diseases or illnesses that may lead to eyelid drooping include:
- Tumor around or behind the eye
- Diabetes
- Horner syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis
- Stroke
- Swelling in the eyelid (stye)
If a person goes to a doctor and complains of drooping eyelids, it is really just a symptom and not the diagnosis. Therefore, it is important that the person have a thorough examination and evaluation to determine the cause.
When someone has ptosis, it can block their eyesight. It usually isn’t painful but the person may have to tip their head back and lift up their chin to see better. Or they might have to arch their eyebrows to lift their lids. If it lasts for a while, these moves can affect a person’s head and neck. Ptosis can cause problems driving, reading, or even walking up and down stairs.
Today, people are staring at themselves more than ever. Many people ask “What do I actually look like?” Think about the ‘selfie!’ Doctors call the current popularity in cosmetic-related procedures the ‘Zoom Effect’ and one of the most popular procedures, believe it or not, is eyelid surgery.
Similar to what happens to the rest of your body, you lose strength in your eyelids as you age, so your eyelids droop downward. In some cases, this losing battle against gravity causes ptosis, to the point where it affects your vision. Getting surgery was the only solution—until now.
Surgery
For many years, people have corrected ptosis with surgery. However, nobody really likes this approach. Any surgery is somewhat dangerous regardless of your age.
Blepharoplasty is the medical term for surgery to correct sagging eyelids. Typically, excess skin and fat are removed and/or repositioned to give a more pleasant appearance.
A drooping eyelid can stay constant, worsen over time (be progressive), or come and go (be intermittent). The expected outcome of surgery depends on the cause of the ptosis.
Surgeons offer several corrective outpatient procedures, each of which takes about an hour. The eye specialist decides which surgery may be most effective based on the results of diagnostic tests that reveal the strength of the levator muscle.
External Approach
External approach, or levator advancement, is the most commonly performed surgery to treat ptosis. It is recommended for people with ptosis who have strong levator muscle function.
The surgeon makes an incision in the skin of the eyelid. Then, he or she attaches a muscle to some connective tissue, which results in a more cosmetically appealing eyelid.
This procedure is performed using sedation to help the patient relax. The surgeon may ask the patient to perform certain eye movements during the procedure to help him or her determine how wide the eyelid should open.
Because the incision involved in this surgery is made in the eyelid crease, the scar is usually hidden.
Internal Approach
The doctor may choose to perform ptosis surgery using an internal approach. This approach is also recommended for people with strong muscle function.
In this procedure, the surgeon turns the eyelid inside out and shortens the eyelid muscles. This is done when the patient needs more of the eyelid lifted and it requires either general anesthesia or sedation.
What to Expect After Surgery
After any type of surgery for ptosis, the patient can develop dry eye syndrome and may need medications to keep the eye properly lubricated. Surgery can also be dangerous, as mentioned due to the dangers of general anesthesia.
The good news is that today, something new has arrived on the scene called Upneeq. Upneeq is an FDA-approved prescribed eyedrop that helps correct droopy eyelids WITHOUT SURGERY!
Upneeq
These new, FDA-approved eye drops have the same active ingredients as Visine—oxymetazoline hydrochloride—but they do more than brighten the whites of your eyes. As the liquid spreads across the eyeball, it triggers a muscle inside your lid to contract, allowing the eyelid to open 1-2 millimeters wider than before treatment.
Brian Brazzo, MD, a NYC-based ophthalmic plastic surgeon believes that Upneeq is very safe: “If you use it properly, once a day, then it’s rare that you’ll see any significant side effects.” The clinical trials appeared to back up his statement—only 1 to 5 percent of patients reported irritation as a side effect and nothing more serious.
According to Dr. Brazzo, if someone is undecided on surgery, Upneeq offers a sneak peek at their ‘after’ photo. Also, the eye drops could reverse Botox-induced ptosis. And if someone has a severe case of ptosis, they may be able to get costs for Upneeq covered by insurance. These innovative eye drops are a game-changer for those who need them the most.
Many of the reviewers stated that Upneeq gave them a surprising boost in self-confidence. They also said that the drops are very moisturizing and made their eyes feel better, as if they had just used a cleansing eyedrop. Many reviewers stated that the drops made them look more awake and actually improved their eyesight!
So if you’re concerned about the dangers of general anesthesia or just want a peek into what eye surgery would look like on you, consider getting Upneeq!
Contact Dr. Adrian De la Torre in Orange County, California today to purchase a box of Upneeq. After your first appointment, you’ll be able to take a box home with you to use yourself, at a very affordable price. You will begin to see first-hand how Upneeq works its miracle and how your eyelids open wide, giving you a younger and more beautiful appearance. Call DRTEN20 for a complimentary appointment at 949-489-1317.