Your Health Magazine Article
Excessive Eyelid Skin Weighing You Down?
by Nisha R. Patel, MD
As we age, gravity takes a toll on numerous body parts, including the eyelids. If you have excess skin, muscle or fat weighing down the upper or lower eyelids, you may consider surgical removal of that excess tissue, a procedure known as blepharoplasty, to restore a more youthful appearance.
There are two indications for blepharoplasty, cosmetic and functional. If excess upper eyelid skin extends beyond the eyelid margin and interferes with your vision when you look up, you may be a candidate for a functional blepharoplasty. If you are concerned with the appearance of droopy upper eyelids that do not interfere with your vision, you are more likely a candidate for a cosmetic blepharoplasty.
It is very important to have a trusting relationship with your surgeon, as well as realistic expectations when considering blepharoplasty. The surgeon should perform a full pre-operative ophthalmic evaluation to rule out underlying eye disease. Glaucoma may also produce a superior visual field defect and must be ruled out. The tear film should be properly evaluated to avoid post-operative dry eye symptoms. In addition, the surgeon should distinguish between excess eyelid tissue and ptosis, a weakness in the levator muscle of the upper eyelid, which requires a full medical evaluation for the underlying cause and possible surgical repair or lifting of the muscle. Often, additional cosmetic procedures to remove fine lines and wrinkles are needed to restore a more youthful appearance and should be discussed prior to surgery. If you decide to proceed with a blepharoplasty consultation, find a surgeon who you are comfortable with and is forthcoming about what to expect. Call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel at 703-263-3147.
There are two indications for blepharoplasty, cosmetic and functional. If excess upper eyelid skin extends beyond the eyelid margin and interferes with your vision when you look up, you may be a candidate for a functional blepharoplasty. If you are concerned with the appearance of droopy upper eyelids that do not interfere with your vision, you are more likely a candidate for a cosmetic blepharoplasty.
It is very important to have a trusting relationship with your surgeon, as well as realistic expectations when considering blepharoplasty. The surgeon should perform a full pre-operative ophthalmic evaluation to rule out underlying eye disease. Glaucoma may also produce a superior visual field defect and must be ruled out. The tear film should be properly evaluated to avoid post-operative dry eye symptoms. In addition, the surgeon should distinguish between excess eyelid tissue and ptosis, a weakness in the levator muscle of the upper eyelid, which requires a full medical evaluation for the underlying cause and possible surgical repair or lifting of the muscle. Often, additional cosmetic procedures to remove fine lines and wrinkles are needed to restore a more youthful appearance and should be discussed prior to surgery. If you decide to proceed with a blepharoplasty consultation, find a surgeon who you are comfortable with and is forthcoming about what to expect. Call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel at 703-263-3147.