Ptosis is commonly known as the drooping of the upper eyelid, which is most often the result of aging. However, some people develop Ptosis after eye surgery or after an injury, and in some cases, the condition may be congenital. If congenital, it may not be immediately noticeable after birth but manifests after a few months.

For patients with the disorder of Ptosis, it is imperative to get advice from a medical professional to determine the underlying causes and to decide on what the correct treatment would be.

According to Pari Shams, Consultant and Oculoplastic Surgeon at Pari Shams, “Typically, Ptosis, or droopy eyelid, is the result of a weakening in the muscle responsible for raising the eyelid. There may be nerve damage, or it may be caused by loose skin on the upper eyelid. Sometimes, the reason for Ptosis is more concerning. Besides the possibility of Ptosis being congenital, or caused by an injury, it may be caused by migraines, growth in the eyelid, Bell’s palsy, diabetes, stroke, myasthenia gravis, Horner syndrome, or a benign or malignant tumor. Ptosis caused by aging is gradual; therefore a sudden onset of symptoms should be a cause for concern in need of urgent medical attention.”

Symptoms of Ptosis, or droopy eyelid, will present themselves as the drooping of one or both eyelids, combined with the following symptoms, which include, increased tear production, difficulty blinking or closing the eye, or reduced vision because of severe drooping.

An ophthalmologist, who will be to determine the root of the problem, usually diagnoses Ptosis. During a comprehensive eye examination, the doctor will test visual acuity; perform visual field testing, a slit-lamp examination, and a tension test for myasthenia gravis. With the suspicion of an underlying systemic disease, the patient will be referred to a physician for further tests.

As a full member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS), Pari Shams is a highly esteemed, award-winning surgeon, well equipped to do the Ptosis surgery procedure for cosmetic or medical purposes.

As severe drooping may obstruct vision, the eyelids will gradually droop to cover the entire eye. If Ptosis hinders a patient’s vision, an eyelid lifting procedure will be performed to eliminate the drooping. Young patients with mild to moderate ptosis should have regular medical check-ups for other vision-related problems including amblyopia, refractive errors, and muscular diseases.

In many cases, congenital Ptosis can have idiopathic origins. It may occur through autosomal dominant inheritance. With familial occurrences, there may be genetic or chromosomal defects, causing the levator muscles of patients with congenital Ptosis to be dystrophic.

Congenital Ptosis cannot be outgrown and will not subside it may get worse. Mild cases will not need treatment unless patients choose to have them corrected for aesthetic reasons. Simple congenital Ptosis is the most prevalent and manifests in late adulthood. If left untreated, it may cause a lazy eye, astigmatism, or permanent disfigurement.

Pari Shams, an award-winning oculoplastic surgeon, performs painless Ptosis surgery under general anesthesia, helping the patient to feel relaxed. When the anesthesia wears off, the eye will feel tender, which is temporary and could be treated with non-scripted medication.

About Us

Miss Pari Shams, BSc, MRCP, FRCOphth graduated with distinction in Medicine, Surgery, Clinical Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, from Guy’s, King’s, and St Thomas’ School of Medicine in London in 1999, and with first-class honors, Bachelor of Science degree in Anatomy and Basic Medical Sciences, being awarded the Roger-Warwick Prize and several other awards for achieving excellence. As a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital London since 2014, she offers a comprehensive oculoplastic service for eyelid, lacrimal and orbital diseases.Miss Shams is a full member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS), the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS) and the International Thyroid Eye Disease Society ITEDS). Being involved in clinical research, teaching and training of physicians and surgeons, and educational courses for GPs, physicians, and ophthalmologists, she is part of the oculoplastic fellowship-training program at Moorfields Eye Hospital. For more information, kindly contact https://www.parishams.com.