Is Eyelid Surgery for you?

Written by The Rochester Eye & Laser Team | Sep 28, 2017 11:00:00 AM

Healthy Lids for Healthy Eyes

Total eye health depends on the health of the eyelid, too. Eyelid position, excess eyelid skin, droopy eyelids, or eyelids that turn inward or outward are common problems that can affect appearance, cause discomfort, or limit vision. Eyelid surgery can correct such conditions.

Eyelid skin, the thinnest of the body, stretches easily. Consequently, as we age, we may develop excess eyelid skin. Stretched skin in the upper eyelid may limit peripheral vision and produce a feeling of heaviness and a tired appearance. In the lower eyelid, "bags" may form.

Excess eyelid skin or fatty tissue may be removed by blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure that can improve peripheral vision and other symptoms while improving appearance at the same time.

Eyelid plastic surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia. Before such surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform an eye examination and make recommendations. Insurance companies often require photographs and visual field testing before blepharoplasty and ptosis surgery.

If you are a candidate for eyelid surgery, inform your ophthalmologist if you are taking aspirin or aspirin-containing drugs, blood thinners, or have a bleeding problem.

This surgery is generally safe; however, as with any surgery, there are certain risks:

While your ophthalmic surgeon will attempt to make both lids look similar, differences in healing each eye may cause some unevenness in appearance.
A "black eye" following surgery is common but will quickly disappear.
As it may be difficult to close the eyes completely after surgery, the eyes may feel dry. As the surgery heals, such irritation generally disappears.
Serious complications are rare. The risk of losing vision is less than one in 500 surgeries, and infections and excessive scarring occur infrequently.

If you think your eyelids may be affecting your eyesight, visit Dr. Lindahl for an examination and see if surgery is right for you.

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