Drooping of the upper eyelid is clinically known as ptosis. This condition can be corrected with eyelid surgery. Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen (Dr. V) is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing corrective procedures for ptosis condition to patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding locations.
Pathologic Eyelid Drooping
Ptosis, or pathologic eyelid drooping may occur due to age, genetics, trauma or a medical disorder. In some cases, the lid may droop only a little, while in other cases, it may cover the entire pupil. For some patients, ptosis can obstruct the vision, or even block the complete normal vision. Ptosis may occur in both children and adults.
Ptosis condition may affect only one eyelid, which is called unilateral ptosis, or both eyelids, which is known as bilateral ptosis. In some patients, the condition may be permanent, while in others may be recur intermittently. If the condition is present at birth, it is known as congenital ptosis.
Timely Intervention
In most cases, it is possible to resolve the condition of ptosis through medical intervention or surgery. In some cases, the condition may also resolve naturally over time. Sometimes the condition may develop gradually over the years. Therefore, timely treatment is important so that the problem does not worsen.
Sometimes ptosis is only an isolated problem that will alter a patient’s facial appearance, without impacting their health or vision. In such cases, treatment may help to restore an attractive facial appearance and remove the old or tired look from the eyes.
Patients should note that sometime ptosis can be a warning sign of a more serious health condition. Such health condition may be affecting the brain, muscles, nerves or eye socket. If the ptosis develops fairly quickly, it is more likely to indicate a serious medical problem. Timely medical attention must be sought in such cases to diagnose and treat the condition.
Ptosis in Children
Congenital ptosis in children is often caused due to poor development of the levator muscle that performs the function of lifting the eyelid. This condition generally does not improve on its own over time. Therefore, the child may require treatment to ensure that their vision develops normally.
The most serious problem associated with ptosis in children is amblyopia or lazy eye. This causes poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during early childhood. If the condition is not treated early, it may result in permanent loss of vision later in life. The condition may occur if the eyelid is severely droopy and blocking the child’s vision. Ptosis may also hide crossed or misaligned eyes, which can lead to amblyopia.
Prevention
While there is no specific way to prevent ptosis or eyelid drooping, it is important to know the symptoms and visit a medical professional when droopiness is noticed. Experienced facial plastic surgeon Dr. V receives patients from Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and other cities in the vicinity for the corrective surgery of droopy eyelids.
For more infomation please contact Dr. V. Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen, known to her patients as “Dr. V,” is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing the latest surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures in Northern Virginia, Leesburg, Loudoun, Fairfax, Warrenton, Fauquier, Arlington, Manassas, Middleburg, Prince William, and other areas. https://thevirginiainstitute.com/contact-us/
