It is the upper eyelid covering the colored part of the eye, lower than normal. This picture may occur congenitally, or it may occur later in relation to various systemic or eye diseases. Correction of the picture is necessary to eliminate both the functional and cosmetic defect of the eye. Congenital drooping of the eyelids should be evaluated in the early period and the possible risk of amblyopia should be examined.
In the adult period, the relationship between droopy eyelids and systemic or eye diseases should be investigated, and medical or surgical treatment should be planned in line with appropriate examinations. Except for rare causes, the most common treatment of droopy valve is surgery. There are various surgical techniques in this treatment, which is performed by choosing local or general anesthesia, taking into account the patient’s age and general health status. In the eye examination of the patient, the most suitable technique for him can be determined by the oculoplastic surgeon and the treatment can be applied.
Dr. The 3 most frequently asked questions to Onur Konuk about ptosis
1. When should surgical treatment of droopy valve be performed?
There is no specific age limit for this surgery. The reason for the operation is the most important issue in terms of timing. Treatment of congenital droopy eyelid covering the colored part of the unilateral eye should be done immediately, regardless of the age of the patient. Because this is a cause of lazy eye and functional blindness for the eye with droopy eyelids, and urgent surgical treatment is required. In congenital droopy eyelids that do not cover the pupil, it should be corrected when the child becomes aware of this picture after an oculoplastic surgeon determines that there is no risk of amblyopia. Today, children at the age of 3-4 do not hesitate to identify the differences between them and tell them to each other. This causes social psychological problems and introversion in children with droopy eyelids. For this reason, it is appropriate to apply surgery to these children at the age of 4 on average. In the adult period, droopy eyelids pose a more cosmetic problem. Colleagues, especially in young working adults, warn patients by expressing the “sleepy” appearance that occurs due to drooping valves. In addition, the droopy eyelid covering the pupil can cause functional vision loss by causing narrowing in the unilateral or bilateral visual field, and loss of 3-dimensional vision. Surgery performed for these reasons can correct the patient’s cosmetic and functional complaints.
2. I am afraid of local anesthesia, can I have surgery under general anesthesia?
General anesthesia is mandatory in childhood. However, my preference in adulthood is local anesthesia. Because we can both protect the body from the problems related to systemic anesthesia by giving unnecessary drugs to the body, and because we only keep the eye conscious by numbing the eye, we have the opportunity to put the patient in a sitting position on the operating table and adjust the lid level and symmetry with the other eye in the best possible way.
3. How many days will I stay behind from my job for this surgery, will there be any scars on my eyes?
In most cases, control is required on the 1st and 5th days after surgery. In lid surgery, there is a rapid recovery because incisions made from the eyelid fold, which is already a natural scar, inside or outside the eye, are used so that there is no scar. Stitches 7-10 days according to the wound healing of the person. It is taken daily. The patient often returns to work within 15 days.