Ptosis (Eyelid Ptosis) Surgery Before and After Turkey

This 4-year-old boy presented with severe congenital ptosis and very poor levator muscle function, resulting in visual axis obstruction and amblyopia (lazy eye).

Functional and aesthetic correction was achieved through Dr. Altuğ Çetinkaya’s double-flap modification of the frontalis muscle flap combined with a Whitnall’s ligament sling. This technique provides long-lasting eyelid elevation, stable contour, and natural symmetry by integrating dynamic forehead support with anatomical reinforcement at Whitnall’s level.

Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated restored visual exposure, improved symmetry, and prevention of further amblyopic progression, highlighting the importance of early surgical intervention in such cases.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This young patient was treated for congenital ptosis (droopy eyelid) with supramaximal levator resection - a highly advanced surgery that requires dissecting the eyelid’s lifting muscle deep into the orbit. The goals of surgery:

• Achieve symmetric eyelids
• Restore normal vision
• Prevent lazy eye (amblyopia),which can only be corrected during early childhood (up to 7–8 years old)

A life-changing procedure that combines both functional and aesthetic benefits. Disclaimer: Educational purposes only. Results may vary. Not medical advice.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

Supramaximal Levator Resection (SLR)

How it works:

• The levator muscle is the main muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid.
• In SLR, this muscle is dissected and shortened (resected) to an extreme degree, deep into the orbit.
• This gives the eyelid maximum lifting power and allows the eye to open properly.

Indications:

• Children or adults with very poor levator function
• Patients with asymmetry or blocked visual axis risking amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Cases where standard ptosis surgery would not provide adequate lift

Benefits:

• Restores a clear visual field and prevents vision loss in children
• Provides better eyelid symmetry
• Combines functional and aesthetic improvement

Key point: Because the procedure is technically demanding and involves very deep dissection, it requires high surgical expertise and careful postoperative monitoring.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

Supramaximal Levator Resection (SLR)

Supramaximal levator resection is an advanced surgical technique used to correct severe congenital ptosis (droopy eyelid).

• The levator palpebrae superioris muscle (the muscle that lifts the eyelid) is shortened and advanced to an extreme degree, often dissected deep into the orbit.
• This allows the surgeon to maximize the lifting power of a weak or poorly functioning muscle.

In certain conditions as in this case, surgery may enhance upper gaze movement through stronger muscle action.

Key Benefits

• Restores a clear visual axis, preventing amblyopia (lazy eye) in children
• Improves eyelid symmetry and appearance
• Provides a functional as well as aesthetic correction

Important Notes

• Indicated in patients with very poor levator function (≤4 mm)
• Requires high surgical expertise due to the depth and extent of dissection
• Postoperative care is essential to ensure stable eyelid position and corneal protection

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This patient had amblyopia (lazy eye) caused by a droopy eyelid blocking the visual axis. With supramaximal levator resection, we achieved:

• Symmetric eyelid position
• Restoration of a clear visual field
• Support for normal vision development

The surgery not only improved appearance but also helped restore perfect functional vision. Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Results may vary. Not medical advice.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

Frontalis Muscle Flap + Whitnall’s Ligament Sling in Severe Ptosis

In patients with severe congenital ptosis and almost no levator muscle function, vision may be blocked, leading to severe amblyopia (lazy eye).

By combining a frontalis muscle flap with a Whitnall’s ligament sling, the eyelids can be elevated using the forehead muscle and ligament support, restoring:

• A clear visual axis
• Improved eyelid symmetry
• Better chances for vision development, even in cases at risk of severe amblyopia

This surgery can be life-changing, both functionally and cosmetically. Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Results may vary. Not medical advice.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This patient had severe bilateral congenital ptosis with almost no levator muscle function - the muscle that normally lifts the eyelid.

To restore eyelid opening and vision, we performed a combined procedure:

• Frontalis muscle flap - using the forehead muscle to help elevate the eyelids
• Whitnall’s ligament sling - providing additional support and stability

The result: improved eyelid height, better symmetry, and a clear visual field for normal vision development. Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Results may vary. Not medical advice.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This young patient was treated for congenital ptosis (droopy eyelid) with supramaximal levator resection. At just 3 weeks post-surgery:

• Eyelid position is significantly improved
• Symmetry is much better
• The visual axis is clear

Mild swelling is normal at this stage, and results will continue to refine over the coming months. Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Results may vary. Not medical advice.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This patient with blepharophimosis syndrome presented with severe drooping of the upper eyelids (ptosis),epicanthal folds, and increased inner eye distance (telecanthus).

Surgical correction was performed using Dr. Altuğ Çetinkaya’s same session technique including frontalis muscle flap technique for long-lasting elevation of the eyelids and a minimally-invasive single-incision approach for epicanthus and telecanthus correction.

The result shows a significant improvement in eyelid height, contour, and intercanthal harmony—achieved through precise functional reconstruction and natural aesthetic balance.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

Early Postoperative Result after Maximal Levator Resection for Congenital Ptosis (3 Year Old Girl)


This young patient presented with significant congenital ptosis with moderate levator function causing visual axis obstruction and compensatory brow elevation and chin-up posture. Surgical correction was achieved through a maximal levator resection, restoring normal eyelid height and function.

The photograph shows the appearance one week after surgery, demonstrating early improvement in eyelid position and visual exposure. Mild postoperative swelling is expected and gradually subsides over time, revealing a natural and balanced eyelid contour.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This 2-year-old boy presented with severe congenital ptosis and very poor levator muscle function, leading to visual obstruction. Surgical correction was achieved using Dr. Altuğ Çetinkaya’s double-flap modification of the frontalis muscle flap combined with a Whitnall’s ligament sling, providing stable eyelid elevation.

At 6 months postoperatively, the result shows durable correction, improved lid contour and symmetry, and unrestricted visual axis—achieved through a balanced combination of functional reconstruction and natural appearance.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

This young patient presented with severe congenital ptosis and amblyopia (lazy eye) caused by visual axis obstruction. Surgical correction was performed using a supramaximal levator resection technique, allowing maximal elevation and functional restoration of the upper eyelid despite poor native levator strength.

Postoperatively, the eyelid position and symmetry were successfully restored, with improved visual exposure and reduced risk of amblyopic progression, while maintaining a natural, balanced contour appropriate for the child’s facial anatomy.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.

Simultaneous Ptosis Correction with Upper and Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty


This patient underwent functional upper eyelid ptosis correction combined with cosmetic upper and lower blepharoplasty in a single session. The procedure aimed to restore optimal eyelid height and contour while rejuvenating the periocular area by personalized sculpting of periocular tissues.

This combined approach achieves both functional improvement and aesthetic harmony—enhancing the visual field, reducing eyelid heaviness, and creating a refreshed, natural look with a single recovery period.

▶ Results may vary from person to person for any surgical or interventional procedure. It is recommended that you consult your physician for detailed information before the procedure.