What is ptosis and how does a ptosis correction work?
In ptosis it is not the skin of the upper eyelid that droops, but the edge of the eyelid itself. The muscle that lifts the eyelid does not work well enough, so the lid margin sinks towards the pupil. Removing skin does not solve this; ptosis calls for a procedure of its own, which Looks Clinics performs.
Prefer to talk it through?
Leave your name and phone number. One of our team members will call you within one working day to answer your questions. There is no obligation.
How to recognise ptosis
The eye looks smaller and the eyelid margin can cover the upper part of the pupil, often more on one side. Many people notice the eyelid feeling heavier as the day goes on. Ptosis is not the same as a lazy eye: it is about the position of the eyelid, not about vision itself. Our self-test deliberately screens for this.
Measuring first: the consultation and the eye-drop test
A ptosis correction always starts with a consultation at the clinic, because the physician needs to measure the position of the eyelid margin and perform the eye-drop test. In that test (the phenylephrine test) the physician places an eye drop in the eye. If the eyelid margin temporarily lifts, the inner eyelid muscle works well and you qualify for the correction. The procedure is intended for mild ptosis, up to about two millimetres, with good eyelid muscle function. The measurement and the test cannot be done online; for ptosis we therefore do not plan a video call but a complimentary consultation at the clinic straight away.
The Fasanella-Servat ptosis correction
The correction is done entirely through the inside of the eyelid, without an incision in the skin; there is no scar on the outside. The eye surgeon works with a surgical CO2 laser and protects the eye during the procedure with a titanium eye shield. The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and takes 30 to 45 minutes.
After the procedure
The suture sits on the inside of the eyelid. You receive a soft bandage contact lens in the eye with antibiotic drops; the lens and the suture are removed after about a week. Recovery is otherwise comparable to that after upper eyelid surgery.
What does a ptosis correction cost?
At Looks Clinics the Fasanella-Servat ptosis correction costs € 1,750 per eye, including the consultation, aftercare and follow-up checks.
When to see your GP first
Ptosis that develops quickly, varies during the day or comes with double vision can point to an underlying condition. Always discuss those signals with your GP first.
Do you recognise this picture? Take the self-test, or leave your phone number in the call-back form on this page; one of our staff will then plan the complimentary consultation at the clinic with you.
FAQ
What exactly is the eye-drop test?
The phenylephrine test: the physician places an eye drop in the eye. If the eyelid margin temporarily lifts, the inner eyelid muscle works well and the Fasanella-Servat correction is suitable.
Is ptosis the same as a lazy eye?
No. A lazy eye (amblyopia) is a vision problem that develops in childhood; ptosis is a position problem of the eyelid. They are separate things.
Can ptosis occur together with excess skin?
Yes, both can be present at the same time. The measurement at the clinic determines what is going on in your situation and which treatment fits.
Is a ptosis correction covered by insurance?
Because ptosis is a functional disorder of the eyelid muscle, its treatment is more likely to qualify as insured care than a cosmetic skin correction. Discuss this with your GP and your insurer beforehand; Looks Clinics is a non-contracted care provider.
Prefer to talk it through?
Leave your name and phone number. One of our team members will call you within one working day to answer your questions. There is no obligation.