Behavior after the operation
Shortly after the surgery and in the following days the patient should avoid physical stress. When washing, the respective eyelid should be left out and generally the area of the operation should be spared. The stitches are removed by the doctor after a few days. As soon as complications occur or an under- or overcorrection is noticed, the doctor should be informed quickly so that extensive corneal damage can be avoided.
When is the operation covered by health insurance?
Surgery for ptosis is usually covered by health insurance if there is a medical indication. Medical indications can be restrictions of the visual field, frequent inflammation of the conjunctiva, irritation of the cornea or eyelid malposition after accidents or injuries. It is always advisable to consult with your health insurance company whether the costs are covered.
If the operation has only a cosmetic benefit, the costs must be covered by the patient. If the ptosis is congenital, surgery is usually also covered by the health insurance company to prevent the risk of a permanent lifelong weakness of vision (amblyopia). The cost of surgery for ptosis varies between 1700 and 5000 Euros. Depending on the clinic, surgical procedure and aftercare, the costs can vary considerably.
When should the surgery be performed on a child?
There is no blanket answer to when a child with ptosis should be operated on. It is advisable to decide with the treating doctor when surgery is appropriate. In children, there is a risk of permanent lifelong weakness of vision (amblyopia) if the drooping eyelid restricts the field of vision, as the eye continues to develop years after birth.
The drooping eyelid restricts this development and thus the ability to see. As a rule, surgery is recommended at the age of 3-4 years. If the findings are pronounced, surgery can be performed earlier.
