After Surgery

What to expect after surgery

Most patients will tolerate the procedure very well and have a rapid recovery. Cold packs may need to be applied to the operated eyelid for the first 48 hours following surgery. Antibiotic ointments applied to the incision are sometimes recommended. The elevation of the eyelid will often be immediately noticeable, though in some cases bruising and swelling will obscure this finding. Most patients will have sutures that need removing about a week following surgery. In children, absorbable sutures are often used.

The bruising and swelling associated with the surgery will usually resolve in two to three weeks. Some patients may need adjustment of the sutures to better align the lid height. This may or may not require additional anaesthesia or a trip to the operating room. 

The choice of a surgeon for ptosis repair is an important one. Eyelid anatomy and function is much more complex than most would imagine, including non-ophthalmologist physicians. Furthermore, raising lid height and the ability to match the lid height of both eyes requires considerable experience. It is our belief that ophthalmologists are the most highly trained surgeons to manage ptosis repair. Nearly all ophthalmologists would agree that oculoplastic surgeons possess the most expertise and experience in eyelid surgical procedures, however, some general ophthalmologists and paediatric ophthalmologists also have considerable experience in ptosis repair.

When choosing a surgeon for ptosis repair, don’t hesitate to ask his or her training. You will likely find that, as a group, ophthalmologists, and specifically oculoplastic surgeons, possess the greatest experience and skill in the management of this condition.