Ptosis occurs in people as a normal process of aging, though the condition may also result from certain health conditions that affect the muscles of the eyelid, such as a stroke or brain tumor. This eyelid condition causes the lid to hang down, or droop low over the eye. As a result, the eyelids often obstruct the person's vision. Surgical repair often solves the problem, though a person should know the possible complications before proceeding with the surgery.
Bleeding and Infection
An eyelid surgeon will make incisions in the eyelids, and, as with any surgery, some people may experience excessive bleeding. The surgeon will often recommend stopping any blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin or Coumadin a few days prior to the surgery. However, bleeding may still occur. This may lead to significant bruising around the eye as well.
Infections may also occur after lid surgery, states The University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. This may cause eyelid swelling and redness. In some cases, the doctor will recommend that a patient use an antibiotic ointment on the eyelids, or he may also prescribe an oral antibiotic if the infection progresses.
Appearance
During the surgery, the surgeon adjusts the muscles in order to lift the eyelid and resolve the droopy appearance, according to the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society. If the surgeon raises the lid too far, the eyes will appear wide open, giving a "surprised" look. Should the surgeon undercorrect the eyelids, the patient may need additional surgery. Also, if the eyelids are not lifted equally, the person may have noticeably uneven eyelids. This may also require additional surgery to correct the uneven appearance.
Lid Closure
In some cases, after a person has ptosis surgery, her eyelids may not close completely. This may resolve over time, though some people have poor lid closure permanently. The surface of the eye needs full, complete blinks in order to spread the tear film evenly over the surface. This lubricates and nourishes the eye, keeping the surface moist and comfortable. If a person has improper lid closure, he may need to use over-the-counter artificial tears. She may also need to use an ointment at night to keep the surface from drying out and damaging the eye. In such cases, the person will need additional surgery to correct the condition and prevent scarring.
