About the Procedure
Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. It can be present from birth or develop with age, after eye surgery, with certain nerve or muscle conditions, or after trauma. When the eyelid sits low, it can affect appearance and, if it covers part of the pupil, the upper field of vision.
Ptosis surgery raises the eyelid by tightening or repositioning the levator muscle and tendon that lift the lid, or by using an alternative technique when muscle function is weak. The goal is a more natural eyelid position and improved symmetry.
At Norelle Health, evaluation distinguishes true ptosis from excess upper-eyelid skin and identifies the cause, since the surgical approach and any need for further work-up depend on it.
Who may be a candidate
Surgery may be appropriate when a drooping upper eyelid affects appearance, symmetry, or vision and the cause has been clarified. Evaluation distinguishes true ptosis from excess upper-eyelid skin, which is treated differently.
Not everyone is a candidate right away. People with significant dry eye, or with certain neurologic or muscle conditions, need careful assessment first, and some cases require medical work-up before surgery is considered. Eye-surface health and the strength of the eyelid-lifting muscle guide the plan.
How it is performed
Most ptosis repair tightens or advances the levator muscle and tendon that lift the eyelid, usually through an incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease. When the lifting muscle is weak, alternative techniques, such as a Müller muscle procedure or, for very weak muscles, a frontalis (brow) suspension, may be used.
The surgeon adjusts eyelid height and contour and aims for symmetry with the other eye. In selected cases, the procedure can be combined with removal of excess eyelid skin.
Considering ptosis surgery? The next step is a quiet, unhurried conversation.
Recovery and aftercare
Expect swelling, bruising, and temporary blurring or dryness around the eye in the early days. Cool compresses, lubricating drops, and ointment are commonly used as advised.
Most people return to non-strenuous activity within about a week, while strenuous exercise is limited briefly. Eyelid height and symmetry settle over several weeks as swelling resolves, and follow-up visits monitor healing and eyelid position.
Risks and alternatives
Possible risks include over- or under-correction of eyelid height, asymmetry between the two eyes, dryness or irritation, difficulty fully closing the eye, contour irregularities, and the need for adjustment or revision. Protecting the eye surface is a central part of planning.
Alternatives depend on the cause. They may include treating an underlying medical condition, a ptosis crutch on glasses, observation for mild cases, or addressing excess eyelid skin with blepharoplasty when that is the main issue.
Results and follow-up
When the cause is well matched to the technique, ptosis surgery can produce a more open, symmetric eyelid position and, when vision was affected, an improved field of view. Results become clearer as swelling resolves.
Follow-up confirms eyelid height, symmetry, and eye-surface comfort. Minor asymmetry sometimes needs adjustment, and some people consider further refinement once healing is complete.
Considering ptosis surgery? The next step is a quiet, unhurried conversation.
Clinical references
Medical review
This page is a patient-education resource reviewed by the responsible Norelle Health clinician before publication. It does not replace an in-person evaluation. If symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening, seek immediate medical care.
Candidacy & Evaluation
Considering ptosis surgery? The next step is a quiet, unhurried conversation.
Recovery & Aftercare
Specialists who perform ptosis surgery
Dr. Moustafa Mourad
MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Head & Neck and Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Dr. Moustafa Mourad is a double board-certified head and neck and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who cares for the full range of cosmetic and complex conditions affecting the face, head, and neck.
- Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Head and neck cancer surgery
- Microvascular free-flap reconstruction
- Facial trauma and reconstruction
Also caring for this area
Not sure who to see? Our patient coordination team can help match you with the right specialist.
(212) 444-8006Frequently Asked Questions
Ptosis is drooping of the upper eyelid. It can affect appearance and, when the eyelid covers part of the pupil, the upper field of vision.
Common causes include age-related stretching of the eyelid-lifting muscle, prior eye surgery, trauma, and certain nerve or muscle conditions. Some people have ptosis from birth. Identifying the cause guides the surgical approach.
Ptosis is a low eyelid margin caused by the lifting mechanism, while excess upper-eyelid skin is loose skin hanging over the lid. They are treated differently, and sometimes both are addressed together.
It can be both. When the eyelid blocks part of the vision, repair is functional; when the concern is mainly appearance or symmetry, it is cosmetic. Many patients have a mix of both concerns.
If a drooping eyelid was covering part of the pupil, raising it can improve the upper field of view. The procedure does not change the eye itself, so vision problems from other causes are not affected.
Expect swelling, bruising, and temporary blurring or dryness, managed with cool compresses and lubrication. Most people resume non-strenuous activity within about a week, and eyelid position settles over several weeks.
Dry eye needs careful evaluation before surgery, since raising the eyelid can make dryness more noticeable. The clinician weighs eye-surface health when deciding whether and how to proceed.
Eyelid height is difficult to set perfectly, so a small number of patients need an adjustment for under- or over-correction or asymmetry. Follow-up visits help determine whether any refinement is needed.
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