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Ptosis: What Is It, What Causes It And How To Treat It

There’s no doubt that droopy upper eyelids, aka Ptosis, can add years to your appearance and make you look perpetually tired.

They can also impair vision and interfere with your ability to complete basic tasks like reading and watching TV.

The good news is that, in the hands of a supremely skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, drooping upper eyelids are highly-treatable.

Continue reading to learn all about ptosis, including what it is, what causes it, and how to treat it with eyelid surgery in McLean, VA.

What Is Ptosis?

Ptosis is a term used to describe drooping or falling eyelids. The condition can range in severity and produce both cosmetic issues and vision impairment.

In some cases, severe symptoms can leave individuals unable to see anything above their eyelids and have a significant effect on daily functioning and quality of life.

What Causes Ptosis?

There are two types of ptosis – congenital and acquired.

Congenital is present at birth and caused by a damaged levator muscle or disruption in the nerve pathway to eyelid muscles.

There are several different types of acquired ptosis, which is the result of aging.

Of these variations, aponeurotic or involutional is the most common and may be caused by muscle laxity, excess rubbing or tugging down on the eyelid, and long-term contact lens use.

How To Treat It

A board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon like Dr. Rostami or Dr. Naz is best qualified to determine the most appropriate treatment for each individual’s ptosis.

That being said, treatment often depends on severity and patient concerns.

In cases of mild symptoms, a minimally-invasive approach, which makes an incision on the backside, can be used to tightened weakened muscles.

For more severe ptosis, repair may involve making an incision on the outside of the eyelid in order to tighten the muscle.

In the event of complete weakness of the levator muscle, a frontalis sling fixation technique may be used to attach sutures to the forehead and eyelid for proper elevation.

Schedule A Consult For Eyelid Surgery In McLean

If you are suffering from ptosis and want to learn more about eyelid surgery in McLean, VA, please contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Rostami and Dr. Naz.

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