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Cosmetic ptosis repair is a type of surgery that fixes a droopy upper eyelid. The medical term for a droopy eyelid is ptosis. This procedure is done to lift the eyelid's position. The goal is to make the eyes look more open, symmetrical, and less tired.
read more about cosmetic ptosis repair ...Ptosis is a problem with the *muscle* that is supposed to lift the eyelid. It is not a problem with excess skin. The most common cause is the natural aging process, which can stretch or weaken the tendon of this muscle. It can also be caused by a nerve issue, an injury, or be a condition someone is born with.
This is almost always a cosmetic procedure. The main goal is to change the appearance of the inner eye. By removing or reshaping this small fold of skin, a surgeon can "open up" the inner corner of the eye. This can make the eyes look bigger and create a longer, more almond-shaped eye. It is often performed at the same time as a double eyelid surgery.
After the surgery, you can expect some swelling and bruising on your eyelid. Your eye may feel tight or a little sore, but this is usually mild. The stitches are often removed after about one week. Most people can return to work and light activities within a few days to a week.
It is important to know that these are two different surgeries. Ptosis repair fixes the weak muscle to lift the height of the eyelid itself. A blepharoplasty fixes excess skin by removing the saggy, loose skin. Sometimes a person needs both procedures to get the best result.
There are two main ways to tighten the eyelid muscle. The "external approach" involves an incision in the eyelid crease to tighten the levator muscle. This is best for severe drooping. The "internal approach" turns the eyelid inside out and tightens the muscle from the back side. The internal method leaves no visible scar on the eyelid skin but is generally used for milder cases of ptosis.
No. The procedure is done with local anesthesia, so your eyelid will be completely numb. You should not feel any pain during the surgery.
If the surgery is purely for cosmetic reasons, it is not covered. If your doctor can prove that the droopy eyelid is hanging low enough to block your vision, insurance may pay for it as a medical procedure.
Yes. The entire goal of the surgery is to lift the eyelid margin. This will make your eye appear larger, more open, and more awake.
You should see an oculoplastic surgeon or a plastic surgeon for a consultation if you are bothered by a droopy eyelid. They can do a full exam to find the cause. They will measure your eyelid position and muscle function to see if you are a good candidate for ptosis repair.
Blepharoplasty An Overview. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2840922/. Accessed April 8, 2026.
Modified Visual Field Test for Ptosis Surgery. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3178305/. Accessed April 8, 2026.
Superior Visual Field Testing Using Virtual Reality With and Without Eyelid Taping in Ptosis and Dermatochalasis. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10329975/. Accessed April 8, 2026.
Ptosis Correction. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/ptosis-correction. Accessed April 8, 2026.
Ptosis. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. https://aapos.org/glossary/ptosis. Accessed April 8, 2026.