Ptosis may occur in the affected eye if the droopy eyelid blocks vision. When both eyes have normal vision and are open equally and fully (i.e., not drooping) the eyes aim at the same spot and the brain fuses the two images from each eye into a single three-dimensional image. When one eye droops and the straight line of vision of that eye is affected, the brain does not receive a signal from the affected eye. In a young child, the brain learns to ignore the image of the drooping eye and sees only the image from the straight or better-seeing eye.

• The child may have to tilt his or her head back to see better from under the droopy lid(s).
• Droopy eyelids may cause the child to look uninterested or inattentive.
• Other people’s reactions to the child’s appearance may affect his or her self-confidence.

A trained ophthalmologist (retina specialist) can detect ROP by dilating the eye (Dilating means instilling eye drops to make the pupil bigger to get a better view of the inside of the eye) and using an indirect ophthalmoscope to scan the entire retina to detect PT-ROP and gauge the state of retinal maturity.

• Immediately after the surgery, the affected eye(s) may be patched. In most cases, the patch is removed the next day.
• The eyelid(s) may be swollen and bruised at first. It may take up to several weeks before the lids look better.
• Antibiotic ointment is used for the affected eye(s) and the area that is stitched.
• A follow-up check-up, as advised, is needed with your doctor.
• In some cases, the surgery may be done in stages.