Eyelid Ptosis at
The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey

Ptosis taken simply, is drooping of the eyelid. There are several causes. Firstly, the excess upper eyelid skin and prolapsed fat associated with aging can mechanically weigh down on the upper eyelid and cause it to droop. This is considered a functional ptosis, as long as the upper eyelid maintains a normal position and functions normally. When it is the actual eyelid that is drooping, whether or not is associated with excess upper eyelid skin, ptosis becomes the diagnosis. There are several causes of ptosis. The most common cause occurs as a result of the aging process. A specialized muscle is responsible for elevating the eyelid. Over time, it can stretch or detach from its insertions and can allow the upper eyelid to maintain a lower posture when the eyelid is opened. In this instance, the normal upper eyelid crease may appear to have migrated upward. Patients with this problem may display strong contraction of their eyebrow muscles, giving them furrow lines. While most patients don’t realize that they are doing this, they may experience significant fatigue over the course of a day. Patients with this condition may appear chronically tired or angry. Not only can this affect a patient’s appearance, but it can also significantly impair the upper and peripheral visual field. The patient may not notice this, as the central vision, which is used for reading, is not affected. Other causes of ptosis are mechanical because of trauma or previous surgery or tumors of the eyelid depending on their location. A condition call Myasthenia Gravis may present as droopy upper eyelids. Strokes or other neurologic damage to nerves of the face and eyes may also present with or have an associated droopy eyelid. There are several other rare causes of droopy eyelids. When evaluating your ptosis, Dr. Thiagarajah might perform special measurements and tests. He will likely obtain photographs and order a visual field test. Visual field testing will assess whether the droopy eyelid is impairing the upper or peripheral visual field. If you are a candidate, surgical correction can be done on an outpatient basis. Dr. Thiagarajah is specially trained in all forms of ptosis repair.

Another cause of a droopy eyelid is a congenital ptosis or a droopy lid that is present at birth. This is often thought of as a specific entity and is described in a separate heading.

Eye Care & Surgery Center and our New Jersey Oculoplastic Surgery Specialist Chris Thiagarajah, M.D. provides reconstructive eye plastic surgery for Ptosis in New Jersey and is conveniently located for New Jersey patients from Westfield, Iselin, Warren, Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights, Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway, Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City, Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison, Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills,  and Paramus New Jersey. To schedule an appointment for a Consultation please call us at 908.789.8999.

Eyelid Skin Cancers
Ptosis
Congenital Ptosis
Ectropion
Entropion
Orbital Facial Fractures
Tearing & Tear Structure Problems