Incision Ptosis Correction - SM Plastic Surgery

Non-incisional ptosis correction adjusts the muscle that opens the eye through minute openings without cutting the lid; swelling tends to be light and recovery quick, and it is considered mainly for mild ptosis. The incisional method opens along the line and finely tunes the extent while seeing the levator directly, suiting moderate or greater ptosis and cases with thick lids or skin laxity. Which method suits varies with the eye, so the decision follows a detailed assessment.

Where eye opening is markedly weak and much of the iris is covered — moderate ptosis or greater — incisional correction, which checks and adjusts the levator directly, is considered. Because the extent can be finely tuned while seeing the muscle, it suits cases the non-incisional method cannot correct sufficiently. The approach varies with the cause of the ptosis and how the muscle functions, and the degree of correction and the result vary from person to person.

The incision follows the crease and the scar sits inside the line, so it tends not to show when the eyes are open. Fine suturing reduces the burden of scarring, but fading takes time, and how well it heals varies with constitution.

It varies, but sutures generally come out after 5–7 days, and daily life tends to be possible from around then. With incision and muscle adjustment involved, swelling can exceed the non-incisional method, and settling into a natural eye area can take longer. The pace of recovery differs from person to person.

Incisional ptosis correction is usually designed together with the crease, so it is often performed alongside double-eyelid surgery. Where ptosis weakens eye opening, a crease alone rarely brings a clear eye area, so ptosis correction is considered together. The extent done together is decided after detailed assessment of the lid and the line you want.

Because the incision follows the eyelid line, the levator muscle can be seen directly, so the amount of correction is adjusted in fine steps while it is observed. When local anesthesia is used, the patient may be asked to open the eyes so the degree can be checked. Swelling is present at that point, so the final look settles over the course of recovery.

The incisional method opens the eyelid and allows the tissue to be seen, so when fat or sagging skin is also a problem, it can be addressed at the same time. This is helpful when the lid is thick and a non-incisional approach would not correct enough. How much is trimmed is decided by looking at lid thickness together with line height.

After the stitches are removed it is better not to rub the incision line, and paying attention to sun protection when going out helps. Scars take time to fade, and how they heal varies with individual skin type. At follow-up visits we look at the condition and explain the care that is needed.

Because an incision and muscle adjustment are combined, there tends to be more swelling than with the non-incisional method, and early swelling subsides gradually over time. Even after the noticeable swelling has settled, the line and the overall look need more time to settle fully. How quickly swelling goes down varies from person to person.

When the previous correction has loosened or was not enough, approaching it again with the incisional method can be considered. The adhesions and tissue condition left by the earlier surgery need to be checked first, and the timing and method are decided at the examination. Revision tissue can be more complex than in a first surgery, so a detailed assessment is required.

The incision follows the double-eyelid line, so a line is usually formed along with the correction. If a visible line feels like too much, it can be designed low and natural so that it stands out less. The height is decided by considering the look you want together with the thickness of your eyelid.

While the stitches are still in place, it is better to avoid scrubbing the area when washing and to hold off on eye makeup. Once the stitches are out and the incision line has settled, both can be resumed step by step, and the timing depends on how recovery is going. We check your condition at the follow-up visit and advise accordingly.

Please let us know at the consultation about any medications or supplements you take, eye surgery you have had before, and any medical conditions or allergies. Dry eye or other ophthalmic conditions also need to be checked. Based on what you tell us, we adjust the surgical plan and the type of anesthesia.

After the assessment is reviewed and the line and amount of correction are designed, surgery is carried out under local or sedation anesthesia, and the procedure itself generally takes about 40 minutes to an hour. Following the incision, the levator muscle is examined, the eye-opening strength adjusted, and the incision line closed with fine sutures. Trimming eyelid tissue or combining other eye procedures can take longer.

While swelling remains in the early stage, the eye opening can look different from the final result, so we first follow the course as it settles. If the amount of correction still seems insufficient once recovery has progressed enough, a further adjustment can be discussed. The timing and method are decided after checking the tissue condition.