DR ELLIE CANNNON: Op to fix my droopy eyelid has left me looking worse

A month ago, I had an operation to correct ptosis in my right eye. Now I think I’ve been left looking lopsided. My surgeon told me it’d ‘all settle down’ and my GP has no other suggestions. I’m really upset. Do you have any advice?

IN ptosis (the ‘p’ is silent), the eyelid droops because of a fault with the muscle. But it isn’t just a cosmetic problem.

Ptosis can interfere with vision and cause eye strain, tiredness and even pain in the upper eyelid and eyebrow.

When there are serious visual problems, doctors will recommend an operation to correct it, involving cutting the muscles and tendons within the eyelid and stitching them so they are shorter than before.

This pulls the eyelid open, helping the person to see properly again.

Today’s patient is unhappy with the result of surgery to treat their droopy eye, picture posed by model

It could take a few months before the soft tissue and muscle heal totally, and swelling is reduced. So it’s too early for you to be worrying after one month.

While it’s not always the case that the eyes look uneven after ptosis surgery, it is a known complication.

This should have been discussed before you consented to the operation.

If it wasn’t, contact the hospital’s patient advice and liaison service (PALS) about filing a complaint. Details of this service can be found on the hospital’s website.

This operation is not done for cosmetic reasons but if after a few months you are concerned about your appearance then you are entitled to discuss this with your eye surgeon.

I would recommend asking for an appointment with them around five to six months after the surgery. Your GP should be able to arrange this for you.

I AM an 84-year-old woman. I have recently had two urine infections but am now left with pain down below. Is it anything to worry about?

More from Dr Ellie Cannon for The Mail on Sunday…

Most urine infections come with a hefty amount of pain, but it usually clears up when the infection does. If the infection has been properly treated and the GP says it is gone, it’s not normal for pain to stick around.

The most likely cause is a yeast infection called thrush, as antibiotics not only kill the urine infection, but also the friendly bacteria in the intimate area that prevent yeast infections.

Thrush can cause soreness and stinging when going to the loo, so people often mistake these symptoms for an ongoing infection.

It is easy to treat with cream from the pharmacist.

If you fear you have another infection ask your GP to do a new urine test to rule this out.

Bear in mind that after the menopause, it’s particularly common for women to have urine infections that require more than one course of antibiotics.

Some women can develop a painful bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. If your GP suspects this, then tests of the bladder will be important – this may include an ultrasound and something called a cystoscopy, where a camera is inserted into the bladder.

This will also help to rule out much more serious, albeit rarer, causes of the pain such as bladder cancer.

Get Amanda’s knee scooter on the NHS

Amanda Holden using a scooter to help her get around after breaking her leg on holiday

It was great to see Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden zooming around London, just weeks after breaking a leg in two places while on holiday.

Her mobility is all thanks to a nifty device called a knee walker, which I think ought to be prescribed on the NHS.

With any leg injury it’s crucial to keep the body moving, as this speeds recovery.

The scooter-like contraption helped Amanda to do just that while taking weight off the bone.

You can rent them for £10 a week, but prescribing them would make them accessible for everyone.

The alternative is being laid up in bed or hobbling around on crutches.

And that’s no fun for anyone.

YOU SAY: Make that GP fee £10

LAST week, I suggested charging every patient 50p to see a GP – a token fee to tackle the problem of patients who don’t turn up to appointments.

I was invited on to Good Morning Britain to debate the issue, and I’ve been inundated with emails from readers. The vast majority agree with me. In fact, many don’t think I went far enough.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR DR ELLIE?

Email [email protected] or write to Health, The Mail on Sunday, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT.

Dr Ellie can only answer in a general context and cannot respond to individual cases, or give personal replies.

If you have a health concern, always consult your own GP.

They suggested a much larger charge of £5 or £10 should be applied to those who miss an appointment without cancelling.

Others thought a ‘two or three strikes and you’re out’ policy should be enforced, chucking serial DNAs (the GPs’ acronym for Did Not Attend) off the practice list.

I heard from people from across Europe, where such schemes already exist and seem to work well.

We all believe the NHS should be free at the point of delivery… MOST of the time. But not always.

If our vaccination rate continues to fall, we could see the return of Victorian era diseases.

A shocking new study last week showed that if children miss their MMR jab (for measles, mumps and rubella) and contract measles, it renders vaccinations against other conditions such as diphtheria and tuberculosis virtually useless.

This is because measles is said to ‘reset’ the child’s immune system. Yet another reason to vaccinate – in case you needed more convincing.

We often hear about the difficulties of transitioning from partner to carer when a loved one is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, but we seldom hear what happens after the partner passes away.

How do you adjust to life without your loved one?

If you’ve been through something similar, we want to hear from you. Have you started a new relationship, gone back to work – or found it impossible to do either? Email us at [email protected].

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