Keshini Parbhu, M.D. specializes in Ptosis repairs (droopy eyelid repair). She is a frequent contributor to academic journals and has presented research at a variety of meetings around the country. She currently has her clinic, Parbhu Oculofacial Plastic Surgery in Windermere, FL. Dr. Parbhu started her practice in Orlando in 2010. She focuses on droopy eyelid.  She serves as volunteer faculty and has an appointment with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is also certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an elite and prestigious society of approximately 500 members. Dr. Parbhu has been named one of Orlando’s Best Doctors since 2013.

She has an interest in reconstructive as well as cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures, with an expertise for droopy eye. Dr. Parbhu believes that procedures are important to help maintain a rejuvenated appearance and offers a wide array of services to help achieve this. Dr. Parbhu believes that each person is unique and likes to have a collaborative approach in developing a treatment plan that is often a journey in achieving natural-appearing results.

Haute Beauty interviews Dr. Keshini Parbhu of Parbhu Oculofacial Plastic Surgery to discuss more about her experience in Ptosis repairs.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

HB: What is a Ptosis Repair and how does the procedure work?

A Ptosis repair is a correction or repair of a droopy eyelid(s). There are two muscles that control lid height. The most common cause for this that we see in adults is due to loosening of the levator muscle.

HB: How do you work with patients to achieve their desired outcome?

I determine which of the two muscles may be involved in causing the droop when I see a patient in consultation. We also discuss any other periocular issues that can be addressed at the time of surgery such as doing an upper lid blepharoplasty which shares the eyelid crease incision so is easy to do at the same time.  Patients may also opt to address brow ptosis or lower eyelid bags at the same time.  I recommend this because they can heal from all of these at once and it doesn’t extend their healing time.

HB: Does Ptosis repair require more than one treatment?

Typically not but always possible. This is a precise surgery and probably one of the most difficult ones that eyelid surgeons perform because we are all asymmetric and we are trying to achieve symmetry with the lid heights.  It is possible that the other muscle of the eyelid needs to be addressed or that there is an under or over correction that needs to be adjusted to achieve better symmetry.

HB: Are the results permanent?

There are two muscles that control lid height.  Sometimes the same muscle can loosen or that the other muscle loosens with time and needs to be advanced or tightened.

HB: What is the recovery process like?

Two weeks of activity restrictions meaning no heavy lifting, aerobic exercise or bending over. I like for patients to do cold compresses for the first 48 hours and also sleep elevated.  I tell patients they can expect one to two weeks of bruising. The majority of their swelling resolves in the first two weeks and it takes four to six weeks for the remaining swelling to go away.  Patients must avoid contact lens wear and makeup around the eyes during the first two weeks as well.

HB: What is the typical cost?

$3,500