Eyelid drooping after cataract surgery: will it improve?

Some patients notice a partial droop of the eyelid one or two weeks after cataract surgery and worry: why did my eyelid drop when the operation was only on the eye?

Is cataract surgery the cause?

Dr. Mahmoud El Samkary explains that cataract surgery itself does not directly cause eyelid drooping. During the operation the eye is held open with a speculum, and if this speculum presses on the eyelid while the eyelid muscle is already weak, ptosis can appear after the operation.

Does the eyelid improve after cataract surgery?

Yes. In a very high percentage of cases the eyelid improves gradually within one to three months, with vitamins that support the nerves, and the muscle returns to normal.

When is surgery needed?

In a small percentage of cases, if the eyelid has not improved after 3 months, a minor surgical procedure may be needed to strengthen the muscle and correct the eyelid level, and the patient returns to normal life within about a week.