Acquired ptosis in patients undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasty

Involutional or senile ptosis may be present in patients undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasties. Several patients have been seen who have requested removal of excess upper eyelid skin when they actually required ptosis surgery. Other patients have undergone blepharoplasties and recognized the presence of ptosis following their cosmetic surgery. The ptosis was either present but unrecognized prior to surgery or developed following their blepharoplasties. Finally, some patients have required combined ptosis repair and upper eyelid blepharoplasties. This article aims to make the surgeon performing eyelid surgery aware of the potential presence of ptosis in patients undergoing blepharoplasties and assist in appropriate workup and management of these patients.