Do drooping upper eyelids make you self-conscious about your appearance? Do your eyelids droop so low that they actually affect your field of vision? Is this inability to see well, causing safety issues or diminishing your quality of life?

Upper Eyelid Drooping is Known as Ptosis

The medical term for upper eyelid drooping is ptosis. Ptosis is not very common, but for patients who have it, it can severely compromise their daily comfort and routine.

Signs of Ptosis

The most obvious sign of ptosis is eyelids that droop down, sometimes impairing the person’s upper field of vision. You may notice someone with ptosis lifting their eyebrows in an effort to pull the drooping eyelids up. People with severe ptosis may have to pull their eyelids up with their fingers or even use tape to keep them up enough for them to see.

Causes of Ptosis

Ptosis can be caused by malformation or weakening of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, which attaches the upper eyelid to the top of the orbital bone. It can be caused by stretching of the tendon for the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, the effects of aging, present from birth (known as congenital ptosis), or caused by injury. 

Treatment for Ptosis

The most effective treatment for ptosis is surgery to shorten the stretched levator palpebrae superioris muscle tendon. Depending on the patient’s specific situation, the surgeon may also elect to remove parts of the upper eyelid to remedy the drooping. A brow lift may also be recommended to leave the patient with the most natural look possible. 

Is Ptosis Repair Medically Necessary?

When the drooping upper eyelid is interfering with the person’s vision, as verified by a visual field test, the procedure to correct the drooping is medically necessary and covered by most major health insurance policies.

Ptosis Repair in Tampa Bay

If you’re dealing with drooping upper eyelids, trust the team at Justin J. Older’s Eyelid Institute in Tampa to correct the issue and give you back a more youthful appearance around the eyes. Call us at (813) 971-3846 or contact us online to schedule your ptosis repair consultation today.