Am I a candidate for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?

As we mature, the delicate skin around the eyes can appear puffy, saggy, or droopy. Eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and the normal deposits of protective fat around the eye settle and become more prominent.  In some cases, as shown in the picture on the right, the overlying tissue will actually block part of the pupil and limit the superior or side field of vision. The surgical procedure to remove excess eyelid tissues (skin, muscle, or fat) is called blepharoplasty.

Blepharoplasty surgery that is performed in order to improve vision (because excess skin is blocking the upper or side of the field of vision) or improve symptoms related to the excess skin (pushing lashes down) is considered “functional” surgery (rather than cosmetic), and the costs may be covered by your health insurance plan.  Visual field testing is done to document the medical appropriateness of functional blepharoplasty.

Dr. Dale performs functional blepharoplasty surgery as an outpatient surgery.  The procedure itself takes  about an hour and general anesthesia is not used. Upper-eyelid incisions are made in the natural crease of the lid, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures, which are removed about one week after the surgery.  The picture at the right demonstrates the lid crease.  Excess tissue has been removed so that the pupil is no longer blocked and the field of vision is full.

With any surgical procedure, it is important to understand possible complications and make an informed decision about proceeding.  Possible complications associated with blepharoplasty include bleeding and swelling, delayed healing, infection, drooping of the upper or lower eyelid, asymmetry, double vision, and dry eye, to name a few. The normal wrinkling and aging of the eye area will continue.

If you are having symptoms related to changes in your eyelids, please schedule and appointment to talk with Dr. Dale about evaluating your eyelids and your symptoms.