Ptosis - Women 40's Before & After Case 26

This patient in her 40s presented with concerns that her eyes looked tired and made her appear older than she felt. She recalled having larger, more open eyes in the past.

On evaluation, Dr. Phan noted left upper eyelid margin resting below the center of the pupil, a finding known as lid ptosis. She also noted heavy upper eyelid skin folds, known as dermatochalasis. Lid ptosis developed as the muscles responsible for lifting the eyelids thinned, stretched, and weakened over time. Dermatochalasis occurred as the skin lost collagen and elastin, becoming thinner, more stretched, and redundant.

To address both concerns through a single incision, Dr. Phan recommended left external ptosis repair and bilateral blepharoplasty. This involved tightening the levator muscle on the left side, so it could lift the eyelid more effectively, while removing excess skin from both upper eyelids.

Patient, pictured here 1-month post left external ptosis repair and bilateral blepharoplasty, demonstrated naturally restored eye openings. Patient appeared refreshed, engaging, balanced and herself again.