Chicago, Illinois has 9 fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons listed on EyePlastics, 2 of whom list ptosis repair (droopy eyelid surgery) among their procedures. Every surgeon here completed an ophthalmology residency followed by an accredited fellowship in eyelid, orbital and lacrimal surgery; all are ASOPRS members. Ptosis (TOE-sis) is drooping of the upper eyelid caused by weakness or dysfunction of the levator muscle — the muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid. It can affect one or both eyes and may be present from birth (congenital) or develop over time (acquired).
"Lists ptosis" marks the surgeons who name it among their procedures; every listed surgeon is fellowship-trained in eyelid, orbital and lacrimal surgery.
Amjad Ahmad
MD
Amjad Z Ahmad, MD SC
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Liza Cohen
MD
Northwestern University
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Gary Lissner
MD
Northwestern University - Dept. of Ophthalmology
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Peter MacIntosh
MD
University of Illinois
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Paul Phelps
MD
Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery
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Allen Putterman
MD
U of IL College of Medicine
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Pete Setabutr
MD
Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary
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Hassan Shah
MD
University of Chicago
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Preeti Thyparampil
MD
Northwestern University
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Ptosis is caused by levator muscle weakness and requires surgical repair of the muscle itself. Blepharoplasty addresses excess skin overlying the eyelid. Both conditions can cause drooping or hooding, and they often occur together. Only an oculoplastic surgeon can reliably distinguish them and perform the correct procedure.
Yes — ptosis repair is typically covered by health insurance when the drooping eyelid causes functional visual field obstruction, documented by a formal visual field test with the eyelid in its resting position.
Look for three things on any Chicago surgeon's profile: an accredited oculoplastic fellowship (ASOPRS is the recognised US credential), board certification in ophthalmology, and current hospital or surgery-centre privileges. Then ask how many of this specific procedure the surgeon performs a year and to see before-and-after photographs of similar cases.
Ptosis guide · Ptosis surgery & insurance · What eyelid surgery costs · Financing options