Ptosis is an affection where one or both upper eyelids are below their normal level, so that the eyelid fissure (the space between upper and lower eyelid) is reduced to various extent (‘droopy eyelids’). When it is present since birth, it is called congenital ptosis.It is usually caused by a dystrophy: the levator muscle of the upper eyelid, which raises the eyelids, did not develop in the embryonal stage in a normal way and was partly or totally substituted by fat and connective tissue, resulting in a deficit of contracting function and, therefore, of the normal eye opening.

WHEN SHOULD A CHILD UNDERGO THE PTOSIS SURGERY OPERATION?

The parent may erroneously consider his child’s ptosis a purely esthetic defect, but it is not so

• The lowering of the eyelid does not allow for the right stimulation by the light: lack of the light stimulation impedes the correct development of child’s sight, compromising it in a permanent and sometimes serious way.
• The correction of the podiatric ptosis must occur within the first 5 years of life, so to allow a correct development of patient’s sight, reducing the risk of amblyopia.
• Ptosis does not allow the child to orient itself in space, causing it to fall, bump into objects, feel disoriented in non-familiar places.
• Ptosis forces the child to tip their head upwards in order to see (incorrect head position) and frown, causing headache and neck pain.
• Disorientation, abnormal postures and reduced sight compromise social relations with other children of same age, even cause discrimination and relationship problems.

The child is followed by an expert team highly specialized in podiatric surgery, which ensures utmost care and attention from the pre-surgical stage until the release from the hospital

WHAT DOES THE PTOSIS SURGERY OPERATION CONSIST OF?

The correction is surgical and it entails two different possibilities based on the residual function of the levator muscle:

• Tightening the levator muscle of the upper eyelid: when this function is present and greater than 4-5mm it will be possible to perform an operation of shortening of the muscle or its aponeurosis to obtain a lifting of the eyelid.
• Frontalis suspension: when the function is absent of less than 4-5mm, a substitution surgery is necessary using the frontal muscle through autologous material, such as fascia lata, from the age of 3 up, or synthetic material, prior to 3 years of age.

Each patient and their parents will be directed towards the most appropriate and latest surgical treatments according to the latest guidelines set by international surgical associations

WHAT CAN I EXPECT? WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF PTOSIS SURGERY?

The child lives the surgical experience in a serene way, followed in every stage by a highly experienced and very professional team specialised in podiatry.
The incisions are hardly visible because they are performed following the natural lines of the face and as close as possible to the eyebrow margin.

The operation allows a correct development of the sight, corrects wrong posture due to droopy eyelids (tense or stiff neck) and avoids possible psychological repercussions related to the defect while socialising with other kids

On this page you can browse the photo gallery of my other cases : Before/After Congenital Ptosis Photos