Lid Lifts Can Be Very Successful!

I first sought medical advice about my drooping eyelids (ptosis) when I was in my 20s. At that time, I was thought to have myasthenia gravis. Not surprisingly, knowing what I do now, none of the treatments helped me.

I moved to Scotland ten years ago when I was in my 40s, and was referred to a local neurologist. He was immediately suspicious of the diagnosis and arranged further tests. Eventually, a muscle biopsy confirmed as he had suspected that I have Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia (PEO) plus, a mitochondrial cytopathy.

Helpfully, he arranged for me to be seen by Professor Doug Turnbull in Newcastle-on-Tyne This gave me the opportunity to learn more about PEO and about possible treatments. I discovered that I was fortunate to have a cytopathy that causes relatively mild problems. I also learned that the ‘gritty’ discomfort that I usually had in my eyes was not uncommon and often helped by ointments and drops (mine is!). The treatment options discussed also included surgery to lift my eyelids. As my lids moved very little I was advised that the best operation would probably be a brow suspension. In this operation the lid is suspended from the brow muscle in the forehead by a loop of material under the skin. Facial movement to lift the forehead then lifts the lid.

It proved difficult to find an oculoplastics surgeon in Scotland experienced in brow suspension. I ,therefore ‘made enquires and was eventually referred to an experienced surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. It is a subtle operation - the tension has to be just right: too loose and the eye is still closed, too tight and the eye doesn’t close at all! My ptosis was much more troublesome on the right side. At the first operation, both sides were suspended, lifting them a small but really useful amount while maintaining easy closure. The right side was still troublesome, however, so a year later the suspension on the right side was revised and tightened. The effect has been magic - vision greatly improved, lids much less quickly tired, and the ability to open the eyes when really necessary by lifting the brow. Even the sensitivity to bright light and gritty discomfort in the eyes were improved. I’m very grateful to the surgeon and her team. It has given me a new lease of life.

Adrian