Who Needs Eyelid Surgery?

Age can take a toll on your body, including your eyelids. Unfortunately, the delicate skin around your eyes can be easy prey for the constant tug of gravity over the years.

The good news is eyelid surgery can restore a tighter, more youthful appearance. Also called blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery is a popular procedure. In fact, more than 325,000 procedures were performed in 2020 alone. 

But who’s a candidate for blepharoplasty? It can actually be performed for cosmetic reasons, medical reasons, or both. At the plastic and cosmetic surgical practice of Frederick H. Watkins, MD, in Rockville, Maryland, and McLean, Virginia, Dr. Watkins performs eyelid surgeries often. In this blog, he explains when they may be necessary and how they’re performed.

Causes of saggy eyelids

If your eyes have that half-mast, always-tired look even when you feel alert and well-rested, you may benefit from blepharoplasty. Eyelids can begin to droop over time due to a combination of factors, such as the following:

• Excess exposure to the sun
• Genetics
• Loss of collagen and elastin, which are proteins that give your skin its structure
• Aggressive makeup application and cleansing routine
• Poor sleep quality and quantity
• Harmful skin care products
• Squinting
• Excessive tugging, rubbing, or pulling

The skin around your eyes is very delicate and susceptible to damage, so it doesn’t take much to break down the tissue, trigger inflammation, and make your eyelids look dark, puffy, and saggy.

Cosmetic reasons for eyelid surgery

Changing your appearance is the most common reason for blepharoplasty, but the exact issues to be solved are unique to each patient. If you’re trying to decide if eyelid surgery is right for you, here are some of the most common complaints this procedure is sought for:

• Constant bags under the eyes
• Saggy upper lids
• Eyes that are always puffy
• Sagging lower lids that reveal the whites of the irises
• Heavy-lidded or hooded eyes that constantly look tired

If any of these descriptions sound familiar, Dr. Watkins can correct your look with blepharoplasty.

Medical reasons for eyelid surgery

Most eyelid surgeries fall under the cosmetic procedure category, but not all. Droopy eyelids can cause vision problems that make blepharoplasty medically necessary. Check with your insurance company to find out if your policy covers any of the following medically warranted reasons for this procedure:

• Clinically significant vision impairment
• Defects that cause physical problems, such as corneal exposure or an eyelid that turns inward or outward
• Debilitating spasms
• Ptosis, in which the upper lid blocks part of your pupil
• Eyelids so heavy that it’s hard to keep them open

After Dr. Watkins examines your eyes and discusses your symptoms, he can determine if you need blepharoplasty, a brow lift, or both. 

Undergoing blepharoplasty

Your exact treatment will depend on what Dr. Watkins is treating, but, in general, he’ll remove the excess skin and fat and redistribute the muscle tissue to where it’s needed. The incisions will be very small, and he’ll make them in creases or folds, so any scarring should be virtually invisible. 

Once the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some temporary effects for a few days, such as watery eyes, slightly blurry vision, discoloration, and swelling. After a few days, the inflammation and bruising should subside to reveal eyelids that are firmer, more open, and more alert.

To find out if blepharoplasty can help you look or see better, book an appointment online or over the phone with the practice of Frederick H. Watkins, MD, today.