Drooping Eyelid Surgery

Are your eyelids visibly sagging? Do you often get remarks from people saying how tired you look? Is your vision starting to deteriorate due to your sagging eyelids? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing eyelid drooping – but fear not, this is easily remedied with a simple surgical procedure.

There are several causes of drooping eyelids, and most affect the upper eyelid although lower eyelid drooping occurs as well. Lower lid drooping often occurs as we age because of the diminishing muscle tone in the ocular muscles. This drooping is characterized by a number of associated difficulties. With your lower lids failing to protect your eyes, you may be more prone to dry or irritated eyes. Inadequate tear duct drainage may lead to excessive tearing. Further, drooping lower lids may turn inwards, leading to additional irritation.

Without a proper understanding of the causes, symptoms, and possible treatment plans for eyelid drooping, people may inadvertently spend countless dollars and hours on quick fixes that ultimately never come to fruition. There’s no point in spending dozens of dollars on a nightly eye cream only to find out that your droopy lid is attributed to an underlying medical condition instead of aging? Not only that, but you may be antagonizing the underlying issue even further by prolonging an active and proven solution to eyelid drooping – both cosmetic and functional.

Upper eyelid drooping may occur at birth (referred to as congenital ptosis), with age, or as a result of an underlying medical condition. Typically it is caused by an underdeveloped, weakened, or defective levator muscle, which holds the eyelid in position over the eye without normally impeding vision. It can also be due to a trauma that occurred at birth or later in life, as well as a neurological condition.

The symptoms of eyelid drooping, aside from the obvious physical characteristic, include excessive tearing, inhibited vision, or tilting your head during everyday tasks and conversation so as to increase the impaired field of vision. There is no home treatment for drooping lids. Fortunately, a simple surgical procedure can remedy the issue with very little recovery time.

One temporary non-surgical solution is to wear glasses that hold the eyelid up. Unfortunately, this may result in an inconvenience in having to wear glasses all the time. A more lasting and effective solution is to tighten the levator muscle which holds the eyelid in place.

This procedure can be formed for a functional or a cosmetic purpose. A drooping eyelid can occur in one or both eyes, and as it worsens it begins to affect your vision as well as your physical appearance. Functionally, the surgical procedure lifts the drooping eyelid from your eye into a healthy position in order to relieve blocking and irritation. Cosmetically, the procedure improves the appearance of the drooping eyelid by lifting it back into place and creating a more symmetrical appearance between the two eyes.

An eyelid lift for drooping eyelids is a relatively simple procedure which necessitates a 3-5 day recovery time. The procedure is actually performed while the patient is awake, in order to observe real-time improvements in vision and appearance. The short recovery time allows for minimum impact on your daily life, while at the same time greatly enhancing your vision and the appearance of drooping eyelids. The purpose of the procedure is either to tighten the levator muscle if it has stretched out or to reattach the levator muscle to the forehead if it has become separated. This procedure is typically covered by insurance, but you should consult with a healthcare provider first to better understand your course of action. By understanding the root cause of your drooping eyelids you can better decide on the correct solution.

Drooping eyelids can occur spontaneously or from birth. They can occur in one or both eyes, and they stem from a variety of causes. Taking an active interest in your overall health allows for earlier detection and, thus, treatment of such a condition.

Fortunately, eyelid drooping is not harmful to your health. However, due to the fact that the drooping eyelid may be a symptom associated with an underlying medical condition, it is important to understand the implications of said issue. Further, the biggest impact eyelid drooping will have on your everyday life is your quality of vision. If your vision is impaired, it is implied that you should not drive or operate heavy machinery. Impaired vision is often associated with migraines and other stress-induced conditions.

Eyelid drooping may in rare cases be present at childbirth. Depending on the severity of the drooping and the effect on general vision, eyelid surgery may be postponed until the age of four in order to allow time for the eye and surrounding muscles to develop further.

You should always consult with your healthcare provider to determine the cause and course of treatment for drooping eyelids. Eyelid surgery is a simple way to improve the look of drooping eyelids by removing fat and excess skin, giving the appearance of younger and more supple skin. While not everyone agrees that surgery is the right way to go, it is hard to argue with the proven results of many board-certified plastic surgeons. Whether for cosmetic or functional reasons, eyelid surgery can remedy the drooping lid and boost your confidence at the same time.

Plastic surgery is a permanent and immediate solution to eyelid drooping. To find a reputable and experienced plastic surgeon, take your time to discuss your options with as many surgeons as you need in order to feel comfortable with your decision. Address the underlying causes of your drooping eyelids, and enhance the appearance of the skin around your eyes and eyebrows – your eyes will thank us.