What are the risks and complications of Ptosis Surgery?

Every surgical treatment has some risk. However, you can be sure you are in competent and safe hands with us. We will go over any potential issues and side effects during your appointment. Some of them include: Infection Scarring Large bruise or haematoma Asymmetry of eyelid shape, height, upper lid fold, or fullness Blood-stained tears (temporary) Recurrence of ptosis Contralateral ptosis Exposed stitches causing discomfort or a pricking sensation

When do eyelids start to droop?

Eyelids can start drooping at any age. Most cases of involutional drooping eyelids happen in people over 40. But drooping can happen earlier too, depending on the cause.

Can not getting enough sleep make your eyelids droop?

Lack of sleep can make people look more tired, with droopy eyelids, red eyes, and dark circles. It can also cause more wrinkles around the eyes and make the corners of the mouth droop, which may make a person look more sad.

What are the symptoms of ptosis?

The main symptom of ptosis, or a droopy eyelid, is when one or both upper eyelids sag or droop. This can lead to other signs including: Blurred vision Dry eyes Watery eyes Eye discomfort Headaches

Can rubbing your eyes lead to sagging eyelids?

There are different types of sagging eyelids, but the most common one happens when the muscle that raises the eyelid gets too stretched out, usually due to getting older. Excessively rubbing your eyes or pulling on your eyelids because they're irritated, or from wearing contact lenses for a long time, can also cause this issue.

Can a droopy eyelid get better on its own?

Sometimes, a sagging eyelid can improve without any treatment. If the drooping eyelid isn't causing any problems, a person might not need to do anything about it. The treatment options are determined by the cause of the drooping eyelid, the severity of the condition, and the patient's age.

How can I naturally lift my droopy eyelids?

You can try some natural remedies like using cold compresses, cucumber slices, chamomile tea bags, and serums to help tighten and firm the skin around your eyelids.

Droopy Eyelids or Ptosis

As we age, the muscles supporting our eyelids can weaken, leading to ptosis, or droopy eyelids. This condition can impact not only your appearance but also your vision and overall quality of life. At Perfect Eyes Clinic, our skilled surgeons offer a variety of advanced treatments to address ptosis and help you regain a natural, refreshed appearance.

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What is it?

What is Droopy Eye (Ptosis)?

Ptosis eyes are also referred to as "droopy eyelids." This means that your eyelids droop over your eyes. Ptosis can occur in adults due to muscle issues, or be present from birth (congenital ptosis) due to a levator muscle malfunction.

Children may experience Marcus Gunn "jaw-winking" ptosis, where the eyelid lifts when the jaw opens, usually affecting one eyelid. Adults can develop ptosis later in life due to contact lens use, eye trauma, or cataract surgery, which can weaken the levator muscle tendon.

If left untreated, ptosis can lead to astigmatism, blurred vision, and watery eyes due to the eyelid's weight pressing on the eye.

Clinical Signs What is Droopy Eye (Ptosis)?

Understanding the condition

Causes of Droopy Eyelids

Ageing

As we age, the muscles responsible for lifting the eyelids can weaken, causing the eyelids to droop.

Congenital

Some individuals are born with ptosis due to underdeveloped muscles in the eyelids.

Muscle Diseases

Conditions like myasthenia gravis can affect the muscles and nerves controlling eyelid movement, leading to ptosis.

Nerve Damage

Injury or diseases affecting the nerves that control the eyelid muscles can result in ptosis.

Trauma

Injury to the eye or surrounding structures can cause ptosis.

Tumours

Tumours in the eye socket can interfere with eyelid function and cause drooping.

Surgery Complications

Complications from eye or eyelid surgeries can sometimes result in ptosis.

Stye

A stye, or a small infected lump on the eyelid, can cause temporary drooping of the eyelid.

Horner Syndrome

This neurological condition can cause ptosis along with a constricted pupil and lack of sweating on one side of the face.

Myasthenia Gravis

This autoimmune disorder affects the communication between nerves and muscles, often leading to muscle weakness and ptosis.

Stroke

A stroke can damage the brain's control over the muscles, leading to droopy eyelids if the muscles that lift the eyelid are affected.

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Treatment options

Treatments for Droopy Eyelids

Recommended Procedure

Ptosis Surgery

This surgery adjusts the muscles or tendons lifting the eyelid to correct drooping and restore balance, typically done under local or general anaesthesia with incisions hidden in the natural fold of the upper lid.

Duration

30-90 minutes

Anaesthesia

Local or general

Final Results

Up to 10 years

View Treatment Details

As seen in Tatler, Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide, 2019-2026

About

Meet the Expert: Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai

MS, FRCS (Ed) Ophth

Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai, MS, FRCS (Ed) Ophth is a multi-award-winning Oculoplastic Reconstructive Surgeon and Aesthetic Practitioner specialising in reconstructive, revisional, and cosmetic surgery of the eyelids, as well as non-surgical treatments for the eyes and face. With 25 years of surgical and 17 years of non-surgical experience, she is globally recognised for her pioneering, minimally invasive techniques.

Named in Tatler’s Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide every year since 2019, she is known as the “go-to” surgeon for discerning patients seeking subtle, natural results, and is highly sought after for revisional procedures by those who have undergone previous fillers or eyelid surgeries.

Listed on the Royal College of Surgeons of England register of Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeons
Listed in Tatler’s Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide as a top practitioner for eyes, eight consecutive years, 2019-2026
25 years of surgical and 17 years of non-surgical experience

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Patient questions about Droopy Eyelids or Ptosis

Frequently asked questions

Call or email us today, we would be delighted to answer your questions.

Every surgical treatment has some risk. However, you can be sure you are in competent and safe hands with us. We will go over any potential issues and side effects during your appointment. Some of them include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Large bruise or haematoma
- Asymmetry of eyelid shape, height, upper lid fold, or fullness
- Blood-stained tears (temporary)
- Recurrence of ptosis
- Contralateral ptosis
- Exposed stitches causing discomfort or a pricking sensation
Eyelids can start drooping at any age. Most cases of involutional drooping eyelids happen in people over 40. But drooping can happen earlier too, depending on the cause.
Lack of sleep can make people look more tired, with droopy eyelids, red eyes, and dark circles. It can also cause more wrinkles around the eyes and make the corners of the mouth droop, which may make a person look more sad.
The main symptom of ptosis, or a droopy eyelid, is when one or both upper eyelids sag or droop. This can lead to other signs including:
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Watery eyes
- Eye discomfort
- Headaches
There are different types of sagging eyelids, but the most common one happens when the muscle that raises the eyelid gets too stretched out, usually due to getting older. Excessively rubbing your eyes or pulling on your eyelids because they're irritated, or from wearing contact lenses for a long time, can also cause this issue.
Sometimes, a sagging eyelid can improve without any treatment. If the drooping eyelid isn't causing any problems, a person might not need to do anything about it. The treatment options are determined by the cause of the drooping eyelid, the severity of the condition, and the patient's age.
You can try some natural remedies like using cold compresses, cucumber slices, chamomile tea bags, and serums to help tighten and firm the skin around your eyelids.

Patient stories

Rated five stars by patients across the globe

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Desi Stevens

“Simply the best dermatologist for skin care and eye surgery. She is a safe and skilled doctor who is highly experienced and will meet your needs, her approach is a soft and natural aesthetic. She listens and communicates clearly, professionally and in a kind and personable manner. I have been looked after by Dr Sabrina for many years have always been extremely happy with her advice, procedures and results. Highly recommend, she is a talented Dr you can trust.”

Kealey Hessey

“Dr Sabrina is the magic eye fairy. Only 10 days after my lower lid bleph and midface lift and nearly all bruising and swelling has gone. After a lot of research, I knew after my initial consultation with Dr Sabrina she was the one I trusted. Such a warm & kind woman. I am so pleased I put my Trust in Dr Shah. Immensely happy with the results and will be back to get my upper eyes done in the future. Thank you to the whole team.”

Jo Kirby

“I had been recommended Dr Sabrina by a medical colleague & am extremely glad I made the journey from Southampton to the Perfect Eye Clinic in London to discuss blepharoplasty. The team were all so friendly & very professional and most importantly, Dr Sabrina informed me that I had a bilateral eye ptosis. This explained a number of issues I was experiencing. I will definitely be booking to have a correction of bilateral eye ptosis and upper blepharoplasty. Can't recommend enough.”

Shirley Ford

“I am so very happy with my experiences at Perfect Eyes. Dr Sabrina is an absolute Star. Extremely talented, very personable I just couldn't be happier with my results and her overall professionalism. But a big part of my review is how lovely the support staff are too. Namely Safiya and Lisa who greet you with such warmness and respect. I highly recommend this clinic as I have done so with many friends.”

Radhika Rajan

“Top notch surgeon. Dr.Sabrina Shah is the best. Very meticulous and focused. Very experienced and very skillful. Supported by a great team, Irvana at the office is efficient and directs empathy as well towards nervous patients like myself . All in all a great experience.”

Tina Stonely

“Dr Sabrina is so so kind and thorough in really assessing and understanding my needs and explaining in detail what works and the pros on cons of each treatment. I trust her implicitly and know she is the best physician in the UK and trainer to physicians for all aesthetic treatments. I cannot recommend her enough. You will not be disappointed choosing Sabrina.”

Tanya Del Federico

“Perfect Eyes provides an exceptional experience from start to finish. The team is warm, professional and highly knowledgeable, and every aspect of the consultation feels thorough and personalised. Sabrina combines outstanding surgical expertise with a genuine commitment to achieving natural, elegant results, taking the time to explain every option and ensure patients feel completely at ease. The care, attention to detail and standard of service are second to none. I would highly recommend Perfect Eyes to anyone looking for expert oculoplastic and aesthetic care.”

Minda Wang

“I am so happy with my experience. The results look natural, and I feel like a fresher version of myself since having my Biostimulation treatment with Doctor Sabrina. The whole experience was comfortable and professional, and I felt supported and well cared for throughout. I would definitely recommend this treatment to anyone looking for a natural-looking boost.”

Samantha Andrews

“Amazing. I’m so happy with the results. Sabrina is a master. She also has a wonderful bedside manner. I can’t recommend Sabrina and her team enough. Worth double the money. 👏🏻”

Hayley Pearson

“I was lucky enough to first meet Sabrina 9 years ago & have never used anyone else since. She has helped transform my appearance; with natural looking aesthetics. I currently live abroad, however remain dedicated to stay a patient of Sabrina. What’s 3,500 miles when you have found the best in the business!”