Eyelid Surgery in Oman: Droopy Eyelids, Excess Eyelid Skin and Eyelid Lumps
Assessment and treatment of eyelid problems that affect how you see, how your eyes feel and how your eyelids look.
Eyelid (oculoplastic) surgery treats problems of the eyelids and the tissues around the eye. The most common are a drooping upper eyelid (ptosis), excess or heavy upper eyelid skin, eyelid lumps, and eyelids that turn in or out. Finland Eye Center offers cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery, including treatment for droopy eyelids and eyelid tumours, at its Muscat, Sohar and Salalah clinics. Which treatment suits you is decided after an examination at a consultation.
Key facts
- Specialty
- Oculoplastic surgery (eyelids and the area around the eye)
- Common reasons to be seen
- Droopy eyelid, heavy eyelid skin, eyelid lumps, inturned or outturned eyelids, watering eye
- Anaesthesia
- Many eyelid operations in adults are done under local anaesthetic as day surgery; children usually need a general anaesthetic
- Recovery
- Bruising and swelling usually settle over one to two weeks
- Cosmetic or medical?
- Both: surgery may be needed because the eyelid blocks vision or irritates the eye, or for appearance
- Where to start
- An eyelid assessment at any of our clinics
What is a droopy eyelid (ptosis)?
Ptosis means the upper eyelid sits lower than it should, so it can cover part of the pupil and block the top of your vision. In adults it is most often caused by the muscle tendon that lifts the eyelid stretching with age; it can also follow eye surgery or many years of contact lens wear. Some children are born with ptosis.
When ptosis affects vision or comfort, surgery to tighten or shorten the lifting muscle can raise the eyelid. Your surgeon measures the eyelid height and muscle strength first, because the right operation depends on the cause.
In children, a droopy eyelid that covers the pupil can stop the eye developing normal sight (lazy eye), so it should be checked early. Children's eye care
What is the difference between ptosis and excess eyelid skin?
With ptosis the eyelid itself sits too low. With excess eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) the eyelid is in the right position but loose skin hangs over the lashes, which can feel heavy and, when severe, block the upper part of your vision. Removing the extra skin, and sometimes fat, is called blepharoplasty. Some people have both problems, and they are treated differently, so an examination comes first.
Common eyelid problems compared
General information about the most common eyelid problems. It is not a diagnosis; an ophthalmologist examines the eyelid before recommending treatment.
| Problem | What is happening | Typical symptoms | Usual treatment options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ptosis (droopy eyelid) | The upper eyelid sits too low, usually because the lifting muscle has stretched | Eyelid covers part of the pupil, tired-looking eye, raising the eyebrows to see | Surgery to tighten or shorten the lifting muscle when vision or comfort is affected |
| Excess eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) | Loose upper eyelid skin folds over the lashes | Heavy eyelids, skin resting on the lashes, reduced upper vision | Blepharoplasty (removal of excess skin, sometimes fat) |
| Eyelid lump | Often a blocked oil gland (chalazion) or a cyst; occasionally a growth | A painless or tender lump in the eyelid | Warm compresses for a chalazion; removal of lumps that persist or look unusual, sometimes with laboratory testing |
| Inturned eyelid (entropion) | The eyelid margin rolls inward so lashes rub the eye | Redness, watering, a scratchy feeling | Lubricants for comfort; surgery to correct the eyelid position |
| Outturned eyelid (ectropion) | The lower eyelid sags away from the eye | Watering, dryness, redness | Lubricants for comfort; surgery to tighten the eyelid |
| Blocked tear duct | Tears cannot drain from the eye into the nose | Constant watering, sticky discharge, repeated infections | In adults, an operation that makes a new tear drainage route (DCR); in babies it often clears without surgery |
Eyelid lumps: when should I see a doctor?
- Most eyelid lumps are harmless. A chalazion is a blocked oil gland that often settles with warm compresses and gentle eyelid cleaning over a few weeks.
- See an ophthalmologist if a lump does not settle, keeps coming back in the same place, grows, bleeds, forms an ulcer, changes colour, or makes the eyelashes fall out.
- Lumps that persist or look unusual can be removed, and the tissue may be sent for laboratory testing.
What if an eyelid turns in or out?
An eyelid that turns in (entropion) makes the lashes rub on the eye; one that turns out (ectropion) leaves the eye exposed and watery. Both are more common with age. Lubricating drops can ease symptoms for a while, and eyelid surgery can correct the position. An inturned eyelid that makes the eye painful and red should be seen soon, because constant rubbing can damage the cornea.
What causes a watering eye or blocked tear duct?
A constantly watering eye in an adult can be caused by a blocked tear drainage duct, an eyelid position problem, or dry eye (which can make the eyes water). In adults, a blocked duct is often treated with an operation called dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), which makes a new route for tears to drain into the nose. In babies, a blocked tear duct often clears by itself in the first year. Your ophthalmologist finds the cause first; whether DCR is the right option for you, and who would perform it, is discussed at your consultation.
What are the risks, and what is recovery like?
Recovery
- Bruising and swelling are normal and usually settle over one to two weeks; cold compresses help in the first days.
- You may be given an ointment or drops. Avoid rubbing the eye, swimming and heavy lifting until your surgeon says it is safe.
- Skin stitches, if used, are usually removed after about a week.
- The final eyelid shape and height can take several weeks to settle.
Possible risks
Eyelid surgery is common, but like any surgery it carries risks. Your surgeon discusses your personal risk before you decide.
- The two eyelids may not match exactly, or the eyelid may sit higher or lower than planned, sometimes needing a further operation.
- Dry or irritated eyes for a while after surgery, or difficulty closing the eye fully at first.
- Bleeding, infection or a visible scar, which are uncommon.
- A lump can come back after removal.
Is eyelid surgery cosmetic or covered by insurance?
It depends on why it is done. When a droopy eyelid or heavy eyelid skin blocks your vision, or an eyelid problem irritates or damages the eye, surgery is a medical treatment; when it is mainly for appearance, it is cosmetic. Insurers decide cover case by case, and cosmetic surgery is often not covered, so check with your insurer before treatment.
Insurance at Finland Eye CenterWhere can I have an eyelid assessment?
Eyelid assessments start with a consultation at any of our clinics. Eyelid and oculoplastic surgery is performed at our Muscat (Qurum), Sohar and Salalah clinics; patients seen in Nizwa are referred to one of them. If surgery is recommended, you will be told which surgeon will operate.
Eyelid surgery: frequently asked questions
What causes a droopy eyelid?
In adults, a droopy upper eyelid (ptosis) is most often caused by the muscle tendon that lifts the eyelid stretching with age. It can also follow eye surgery or long-term contact lens wear, and some children are born with it. A droopy eyelid that appears suddenly, especially with double vision or a headache, needs same-day assessment at a hospital emergency department.
Can a droopy eyelid be fixed with surgery?
Often, yes. When ptosis affects vision or comfort, an operation to tighten or shorten the eyelid-lifting muscle can raise the eyelid. The surgeon first measures the eyelid height and muscle strength, because the best operation depends on the cause.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is surgery to remove excess eyelid skin, and sometimes fat. On the upper eyelids it can lift skin that hangs over the lashes and blocks vision, or it can be done for appearance. It does not raise an eyelid that itself sits too low; that is ptosis, which is treated differently.
How long does recovery from eyelid surgery take?
Bruising and swelling usually settle over one to two weeks, and many people return to office work within about a week or two. Stitches, if used, are usually removed after about a week. The final eyelid shape can take several weeks to settle.
Is an eyelid lump dangerous?
Most eyelid lumps, such as a chalazion (a blocked oil gland), are harmless and many settle with warm compresses. See an ophthalmologist if a lump does not settle, keeps coming back, grows, bleeds, changes colour or makes the lashes fall out. Such lumps can be removed and tested.
Why does my eye water all the time?
Constant watering in an adult can be caused by a blocked tear duct, an eyelid that turns in or out, or dry eye, which can make the eyes water. An ophthalmologist finds the cause first. A blocked tear duct in an adult is often treated with an operation called DCR; whether it suits you is discussed at your consultation.
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: patient information on ptosis, blepharoplasty, chalazion and blocked tear ducts
- National Eye Institute (NEI): eye health information
This page is general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the treatment that suits you.
Talk to us about your eyelids
If a droopy eyelid, heavy eyelid skin, a lump or a watering eye is bothering you, book an assessment. We will examine the eyelid and explain your options.