Restoring facial harmony after facial palsy
Introduction to eyelid surgery for facial weakness:
Eyelid surgery for facial weakness typically refers to a set of procedures aimed at restoring or improving the ability to close the eye, drain tears and avoid excess dryness of the eyeball in individuals with facial paralysis or facial weakness. These procedures are part of facial reanimation techniques and are designed to address the loss of facial muscle movement and symmetry.
A number of different options are available:
- Upper eyelid loading. This procedure involves placing a small, flat weight (gold or platinum) under the skin of the upper eyelid. When going to close the eye, this helps encourage the upper eyelid to descend over the eyeball to meet the lower eyelid. This can make it easier to manage windy, or sunny conditions and helps to reduce the sensation of dryness in the eye, or watery eyes.
- Lower eyelid tightening. When the muscles around the eye are weak, it is common for the lower eyelid to become loose and floppy. This causes it to sit lower on the eyeball. Common symptoms relating to this problem include the eye drying out easily, or the eye being very watery. Surgery can help correct this by tigthening and re-positioning the eyelid back into the correct position.
At your consultation, Mr Butler will undertake a detailed assessment of your medical history and current facial movements to help determine the treatment options available to you.
Should you have just developed facial palsy, it is essential that you have a medical professional check your eyelid function as a matter of urgency to ensure that you are not at imminent risk of developing a wound on the surface of the eyeball that could cause lifelong damage to your vision.
Key details of the procedure:
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Cost: $6000 to $10500 in clinic, $11000 to $20000 at Grace Hospital
- Anaesthetic: Local or general anaesthetic
- Length of stay: Day surgery