Ptosis ranges from mild eyelid drooping to severe cases that affect vision.
Treatment options in Korea vary based on severity—from non-incisional correction to full surgical repair.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to choose the right method and achieve natural, balanced results.

What Is Ptosis Severity?

Ptosis is classified based on how much the eyelid droops and how weak the lifting muscle (levator) is.

Mild Ptosis

• Slight drooping
• Eyes may look tired but still open normally
• Minimal impact on vision

Moderate Ptosis

• Noticeable drooping
• Eyes appear smaller or uneven
• May require effort to keep eyes open

Severe Ptosis

• Eyelid covers part of the pupil
• Affects vision
• Forehead muscles may compensate (raising eyebrows constantly)

How Korean Surgeons Diagnose Ptosis

Before recommending treatment, surgeons evaluate:

• MRD1 (margin reflex distance): Measures how much the eyelid covers the pupil
• Levator muscle strength
• Eye symmetry and balance
• Skin thickness and eyelid fat

This detailed analysis determines whether your ptosis is mild or severe—and which treatment is appropriate.

Treatment Options for Mild Ptosis

Non-Incisional Ptosis Correction

How It Works

• Uses sutures to slightly tighten the eyelid-opening mechanism
• Often combined with non-incisional double eyelid surgery

Pros

• Less invasive
• Faster recovery
• Minimal scarring

Limitations

• Not suitable for significant muscle weakness
• Results may be less durable

Best For

• Young patients
• Minimal drooping
• Good skin elasticity

Mild Incisional Correction

How It Works

• Small incision to adjust the levator muscle
• Provides more precise correction

Best For

• Mild to moderate ptosis
• Patients seeking longer-lasting results

Treatment Options for Moderate to Severe Ptosis

Incisional Ptosis Surgery (Levator Advancement)

How It Works

• Tightens or shortens the levator muscle
• Repositions eyelid to a higher, natural level

Pros

• Precise and long-lasting
• Effective for most moderate to severe cases

Considerations

• Longer recovery
• Requires experienced surgeon

Severe Ptosis (Advanced Techniques)

In severe cases, additional methods may be used:

Frontalis Sling (Rare in Cosmetic Cases)

• Uses forehead muscle to assist eyelid lifting
• Typically for very weak levator function

Combined Procedures

• Ptosis correction + double eyelid surgery
• Improves both function and appearance

Mild vs Severe Ptosis: Key Differences

Mild Ptosis

• Subtle drooping
• Often cosmetic concern
• Can use non-incisional or minimal surgery

Severe Ptosis

• Functional issue (vision affected)
• Requires structural correction
• Incisional surgery is necessary

Cost Differences in Korea (2026)

• Mild ptosis correction: ₩2,000,000 – ₩3,500,000
• Moderate ptosis: ₩3,000,000 – ₩5,000,000
• Severe ptosis: ₩4,000,000 – ₩6,000,000+

Combined procedures (with double eyelid surgery) increase total cost.

Recovery Differences

Mild Ptosis

• Faster recovery (1–2 weeks)
• Less swelling

Severe Ptosis

• More swelling and tightness
• Longer recovery (2–3 weeks for visible improvement)
• Final results take longer to stabilize

Why Proper Diagnosis Matters

Choosing the wrong treatment can lead to:

• Under-correction (eyes still look droopy)
• Overcorrection (eyes look too wide or unnatural)
• Asymmetry

Korean surgeons emphasize precise diagnosis before surgery, not just aesthetic preference.

What Foreign Patients Should Know

• Mild ptosis is often overlooked without expert evaluation
• Many patients benefit from combined surgery rather than double eyelid alone
• Korean clinics provide detailed consultations with simulation

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between mild and severe ptosis is key to choosing the right treatment.

• Mild ptosis: Less invasive options, faster recovery
• Severe ptosis: Requires surgical correction for both function and aesthetics

The best results come from a customized approach based on muscle strength, eye structure, and overall facial balance.