Eyelid surgery

Blepharoplasty is the removal of skin on the eyelids. An upper blepharoplasty can be removing excess skin alone or in combination with adjusting the upper eyelid muscle to lift the eyelashes higher to allow for better visibility.  At the consultation, is when this would be determined. There is also a lower eyelid blepharoplasty. This can be limited to removing excess skin or adjusting the fat under the eyelid (the ‘bags’). 

Insurance sometimes allow for an upper blepharoplasty, if the skin or droopy eyelid blocks vision. If the upper eyelid skin just does not look good, but does not block vision, a blepharoplasty can still be performed, however it would be a cosmetic procedure and insurance would not be involved in coverage. Generally, insurance will not approve lower eyelid blepharoplasties, as it usually does not interfere with vision. 

The upper eyelid surgery is very common. It is a short outpatient procedure, typically done at a surgery center.  Patients have minimal pain and are able to shower the next day. About 2 weeks of no exercise and most of the swelling will resolve in about 1 month (all the swelling will resolve in 6 months).  

The lower eyelid surgery is less commonly performed.  Generally it is cosmetic and the recovery is more involved and there are higher risks (bleeding, injury to the eye muscles, ectropion – out turning of the eyelid) compared to the upper eyelid surgery.  Patients who decide to have the surgery are very happy when healed.