Canthoplasty: drooping eyelid surgery

The canthoplasty is a surgical technique applied to the lateral edges of the eyelids. With it, specialists in Ophthalmology intend to raise that corner that can be lowered, giving a sad or languid look.

The canthoplasty is performed under local anesthesia in a few minutes. a thin tendon that holds the lower eyelid and convenience reinserting above a small cut is made Unseating. The locking points are very small and the incision is just almost visible.

There is a similar technique called canthopexy. It does not cut the tendon but what we fold and sutured something above. This technique is less aggressive but also less definitive.

Droopy eyelid causes

Strictly droopy eyelid or ptosis, as it is called medically, is the fall of the upper eyelid from its initial position. It can range from a half mm to be total.

Not to be confused with excess skin or fat of the upper eyelid, sometimes due to weight may give the false impression of drooping eyelid. The two entities can coexist.

The causes of the fall of the eyelid are several: there are congenital, by altering the muscle that holds the eyelid, age and aging in susceptible people can make it go falling, the use of contact lenses even prolonged use of small glasses swimming can produce this fall, even people who have a tendency to rub the eyelids can accentuate this condition.

What is the technique?

Treating drooping eyelid ptosis, it is different from excess skin (dermatochalasis).

In ptosis surgery we try to strengthen the muscle weakened in many ways.

There is a technique that is performed inside the eyelid, with no external incisions, and applies to some forms of droopy eyelid. Other techniques require incisions in skin or even above the eyebrow, depending on the severity of the fall.

The surgeries are performed under local anesthesia, painless, with fast and good results, both functional and cosmetic recoveries.

Risks and contraindications eyelid surgery

The main risk of drooping eyelid surgery is the undercorrection, ie not achieve the desired height. This can occur in 10%, depending on the severity of the case.

Another risk, even less frequent, is overcorrection, which is that the lid rises more than expected.

Contraindications for this surgery no. When the eyelid droops and alters the vision must always operate.

On the other hand, we do have to be cautious in patients with other neurological diseases associated, such as facial paralysis.