Eyelid Surgery

As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes can appear puffy or saggy. Eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and the normal deposits of protective fat around the eye bulge. The surgical procedure to remove excess eyelid tissues (skin, muscle or fat) is called blepharoplasty.

 

Blepharoplasty can be performed on upper and lower eyelids for cosmetic or functional reasons. Often people choose cosmetic blepharoplasty to improve their appearance by making the area around their eyes firmer. When heavy upper eyelid skin drapes across the eyelid margin and blocks vision, it is considered a functional problem rather than cosmetic. Heavy upper eyelids can often cause difficulty with driving, working, or reading. Surgery can be performed to correct this problem and many patients report improved vision and comfort levels. Many insurance providers cover this surgery, and your doctor will evaluate whether you are likely to qualify.

 

Ectropion means that the lower eyelid is “rolled out” or sagging away from the eye. The sagging lower eyelid leaves the eye exposed and dry. If ectropion is not treated, the condition may lead to chronic tearing, eye irritation, redness, pain, a gritty feeling, crusting of the eyelid, mucous discharge, and breakdown of the eye surface due to exposure.

 

Ectropion is most commonly caused by age-related stretching of the normal eyelid tissue, and this condition can be corrected with eyelid surgery. Most patients report increased comfort and less tearing following this reconstructive procedure with little, if any, post-operative discomfort.

Before:

After:

Entropion means that the lower eyelid is “rolled in” toward the eye, often with the eyelashes rubbing on the surface of the eye. This can cause eye irritation or the sensation of a foreign body in the eye. If entropion is not treated, the condition may lead to chronic tearing, light sensitivity, eye irritation, redness, pain, or a breakdown of the eye surface due to the constant rubbing of the lashes on the eye. The eye surface may develop a painful abrasion, ulcer, or scarring if the condition is not treated.  

 

It is important to have surgical correction of an entropion to prevent harmful damage to the eye surface. The success of this surgery is quite high and most patients report immediate relief of the eye irritation with little, if any, post-operative discomfort.