Eyelid Surgery: Consider the Basic Facts

If one or both of your eyelids droop, you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. This procedure, which is often called a blepharoplasty, aims to lift the lid so that you no longer have droopy eyes. Consider what typically occurs during the treatment before you decide whether to take this path to an improved appearance, as well as vision that is not obstructed.

The goal of this treatment is to shorten the muscle that controls the movement of the eyelids, which is called the levator muscle. Shortening this area ensures that your eyelids will stay lifted as high as they should be so that they do not droop over your eyes anymore. This is often important because this condition cannot only result in a sleepy appearance, but also often hinders vision. For this reason, insurance often covers eyelid surgery, as it is usually medically necessary. Be sure to double check with your provider, sending them the proper evidence that you need this procedure, before you schedule an appointment.

During this treatment, the surgeon will make an incision along the natural eye crease, after administering anesthetic drops to the area, of course. He or she will then shorten the levator muscle the proper amount. Shortening it too much will result in eyelids that sit too high, while not shortening it enough will require another procedure. Therefore, it is important to find an experienced doctor for this treatment to avoid revision surgery.

You should expect some swelling for a couple of days afterward, but you will likely be given drops to relieve this issue, as well as to get rid of any discomfort. Additionally, you will probably be prescribed antibiotic ointment or drops to avoid infection, which is one of the main complications of this procedure. Another possible risk is the inability to close your eyes all the way, or even complete loss of movement. Of course, these risks are rare and should not typically occur with an experienced surgeon.

Whether your eyelids droop over both of your eyes or just one, you should consider eyelid surgery, as this treatment can improve both your looks and your ability to see clearly. Once you have decided to get this procedure done, you need to choose a good doctor who has done it successfully before. Additionally, find out whether your insurance provider covers it, as this is one of the few types of plastic surgery that is often covered since it is usually medically necessary.