When someone discusses eyelid surgery, it’s normally considered to be a cosmetic procedure that helps the patient obtain a more youthful and alert appearance.
However, it also could be a method to help patients improve how they see. This is because once droopy eyelids are improved, they have a greater field of vision.
Regardless of the reason for having this important surgery, it’s known as blepharoplasty. When the operation is performed, excess skin, muscle, and or fat could be removed from the eyelids. Not all surgeries of this type are the same.
In some cases, the upper eyelid is the only part that is operated on. This is sometimes erroneously called an “eye lift”. It shouldn’t be confused with a ptosis (pronounced TOE-sis) surgery. Ptosis is the medical term for the drooping of the eyelid. Ptosis surgery raises the position of one or both of the upper eyelids by tightening the tendon or muscle.
The Cosmetic Version
It should be noted that there are two types of blepharoplasty. Cosmetic blepharoplasty is not a surgery that would be classified as medically necessary. The objective of this is to improve your appearance.
Patients who have this surgery are typically older or concerned about the way they look as they age. The upper and lower eyelids droop as years pass. You may also notice a saggy appearance of your eyebrows.
The Functional Version
A blepharoplasty operation that is considered functional would be one that is deemed medically necessary. In most of these situations, excess skin that is around the upper eyelid is removed if it’s interfering with your vision while performing important tasks like driving or using machines.
Functional blepharoplasty may also be needed if the patient is having issues wearing contact lenses or glassed due to the excess skin around either the upper or lower eyelids.
Other reasons for having this type of procedure include irritation from excess skin folds around the eyelids and discomfort around the forehead due to muscles being stressed from lifting saggy skin around the eyelids.
These operations could be performed by ophthalmologists and oculoplastic surgeons as well as general plastic surgeons. If needed, they also could be performed by ear, nose, and throat surgeons, and maxillofacial surgeons.
Who Would Need Blepharoplasty
Patients that deal with droopy eyelids caused by normal aging would be considered qualified candidates for cosmetic blepharoplasty. While it isn’t a permanent fountain of youth, it could cosmetically benefit patients for several years to come.
Anyone that is struggling with vision or other eye issues like dry eyes would qualify as patients that need the functional version of this surgery. General physicians, optometrists, and plastic surgeons could make recommendations based on their findings during an examination.
Conclusion
If you’ve read this and are contemplating whether blepharoplasty is something that could help you, Dr. Ruth Hill Yielding can help you learn more about what to expect and whether this procedure is something that could benefit you. To schedule an appointment at her Winter Park, Florida office, go to www.yieldingmd.com or call 407-753-4101
