Eyelid Surgery for Sleepy Eyes? Ptosis Correction? Or Double-Eyelid Surgery? Which One Should You Get?

Hello, this is Ribbon (RE:本) Plastic Surgery, located at Exit 1 of Sinsa Station. ^^

There are people who have double eyelids but still always look sleepy. When they visit us in person and we check, there are many cases where the position of the double eyelid itself is not a major issue, but the eyelids droop and make the eyes look heavy. On the other hand, even among people who do not have double eyelids at all, if the eyelids come down and cover more of the pupil, they can give a tired impression.

These problems do not always appear equally on both sides, and often they are severe on only one side. In such cases, the eyes may look mismatched, like one side is different from the other, which is known as “uneven eyes.” Uneven eyes can create a somewhat negative impression, and many people feel inconvenienced in social life because of them. In that case, the surgery needed is called “ptosis correction.”

These days, many people are getting this surgery, so some may think it is an easy procedure to undergo~ But you should not do it carelessly!

So from now on, I will explain ptosis correction in detail. First, please read through the post, and if you feel, “This is really the surgery I need,” then contact Ribbon Plastic Surgery.^^

You may already have noticed, but ptosis correction is basically a procedure applied to “uneven eyes” and “sleepy eyes.” However, because the causes of eyes looking uneven or sleepy vary from person to person, it is necessary to identify the exact cause carefully before proceeding. Ptosis correction is a surgery worth considering when there is ptosis, a condition in which the strength of the muscle used to open the eyes is weakened, either congenitally or acquired.

When the eyes look sleepy, many patients ask, “Can’t this be covered with double-eyelid surgery?”

Of course! It is only natural to think that way. Since the eyelids are drooping, it makes sense to wonder whether folding this area once with double-eyelid surgery would lift the eyelids again. However, the people who need ptosis correction are those whose muscle weakness, not the skin, is the problem. In that case, even if double-eyelid surgery is performed, it does not make the eye line look clearer or improve the sleepy appearance.

Simply put, double-eyelid surgery should be understood as a procedure that improves the outermost “skin tissue.” But folding the skin does not strengthen the deeper muscles, so after surgery, the double eyelid line may look too high or the tissue below it may protrude like a sausage.

If you do not have double eyelids and want double-eyelid surgery, and there is also muscle weakness (ptosis), then ptosis correction must be performed together. Once ptosis correction is done, the strength of the levator muscle is enhanced, allowing for brighter, wider-looking eyes.

Depending on each patient’s eye condition, the surgery can be performed using either a non-incisional or incisional method. I will explain this in more detail in the table below. ^^

Non-incisional Ptosis Correction vs. Incisional Ptosis Correction

Non-incisional ptosis correction

Non-incisional ptosis correction does not involve a separate incision. Several small holes are made, and the levator muscle is adjusted through those openings. The recovery period is about 2 to 3 days, and because there is little scarring or swelling, you can return to daily life right away! However, it is recommended only for patients with mild ptosis whose eyelid skin is thin and who have little fat or muscle.

Incisional ptosis correction

As the name suggests, this method involves making an incision and partially removing unnecessary fat, muscle, and skin before strengthening and fixing the levator muscle. Because it includes an incision, the recovery period is about one week, and there may be bruising or swelling during that time. Incisional ptosis correction is suitable for people whose eyelid skin is thick, who have a lot of fat and muscle, and whose ptosis is severe.

“One side is normal, but only one side looks sleepy!” There are so many people like that, right?

Of course, it is possible to correct only one eye. However, I hope you keep in mind that both eyes may need correction to some extent and undergo the examination accordingly. The reason for this uneven, sleepy-eye appearance is muscle weakness, and what controls those muscles are the commands from the brain, that is, “neurotransmitters.”

This means it is difficult to think about just that area in isolation.

If ptosis correction is performed on only one side to make that eye open better, there are cases where the eye that used to open well suddenly becomes harder to open. Muscles do not move on their own; neurotransmitters from the brain have to come to the muscles and say, “Open your eyes!” for the muscles to move. If correction is done on only one side through surgery, there is a high risk of incorrect signal transmission.

To prevent this problem, a method that also corrects the normal eye is commonly used these days. The director checks this in advance and gives the patient sufficient explanation, so there is no need to worry too much from the start. ^^ If you visit our clinic, we can provide enough consultation regarding this.

The director personally checks and explains every step of the process, so if you need a consultation, please make a reservation and visit us.

Thank you!