Drooping Lids: Cosmetic vs Medical

Is your vision impaired by drooping eyelids? Do you want to improve their function or appearance?

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a common procedure that can treat drooping eyelids by tightening the muscle in the upper eyelid. However, drooping eyelid treatment can vary depending on whether you undergo blepharoplasty for cosmetic or medical reasons.

Keep reading to learn more about the difference between medical and cosmetic treatments for drooping lids.

What Causes Drooping Eyelids?

Drooping eyelids are typically caused by ptosis, a condition where your levator muscle doesn't lift your upper eyelid like it should. This can lead to significant vision problems, as your eyelid can partially or completely block your vision.

For many patients, drooping eyelids may also be a cosmetic concern, as they can make you look older and more tired. You may suffer from other symptoms as well, including:

• Excessive eye rubbing
• Achiness around the eyes
• Increased tearing

Typically, ptosis occurs due to aging, when the levator muscle loses its strength or completely separates from the eyelid. In rarer cases, it can develop as a result of another condition, such as:

• Stye
• Stroke
• Horner syndrome
• Tumor
• Myasthenia gravis
• External ophthalmoplegia

However, you can also be born with the condition in the case of congenital ptosis. If the condition is not treated, it can lead to complications like vision impairment, astigmatism, or amblyopia, making ptosis treatment crucial to maintaining good eyesight.

How Are Drooping Lids Treated?

Drooping lids can be treated with various options, including prescription eye drops, laser resurfacing, radiofrequency treatments, ultrasound therapy, Botox, and fillers. However, one of the most common treatments is blepharoplasty, an eyelid surgery that removes excess skin and fat to improve your vision and/or appearance.

Your oculoplastic surgeon at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho will begin the procedure by numbing your eye with local anesthesia. Then, they will perform blepharoplasty in one of two ways:

Over the Eyelid: This method involves your oculoplastic surgeon creating a small incision in the skin of your upper eyelid. Then, they will make stitches in the levator muscle to tighten it before closing the original incision with stitches.

Under the Eyelid: Your oculoplastic surgeon may also perform the surgery from under your eyelid. This method involves flipping your eyelid and tightening the levator muscle from underneath, with no incision needed.

Is Droopy Eyelid Surgery Covered by Insurance?

If your droopy eyelid is interfering with your vision to the point where it is affecting your ability to perform daily tasks like working, driving, or reading, it will likely be covered by insurance. However, if your concerns are purely cosmetic and you simply want to change the look of your eyelids with blepharoplasty, it is not usually covered by insurance.

To determine whether your vision is impaired enough to qualify for insurance-covered eyelid surgery, your eye doctor may conduct an eye exam. During this appointment, they will likely test your visual acuity, assess the severity of your drooping eyelid, and perform a visual field test.

Visual field testing, in particular, can be a good indicator of whether you need eyelid surgery to improve the function of your vision due to drooping lids. This test involves measuring your peripheral vision as a control, then taping your eyelids higher and performing the test again so you can see the visual difference.

Your oculoplastic surgeon will also assess your candidacy for the procedure at this appointment. Typically, good candidates for drooping eyelid surgery:

• Are over the age of 30
• Do not have eye conditions like glaucoma, dry eye, or a detached retina
• Do not have circulatory disorders like high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
• Do not have diabetes
• Do not have thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or Graves' disease
• Have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure

What to Expect After Surgery for Drooping Lids

Whether you undergo eyelid surgery for cosmetic or medical reasons, the recovery will be the same. Immediately after the procedure, your oculoplastic surgeon at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho will monitor you in a recovery room for a short period of time before sending you home to rest.

You will need to have a friend or loved one drive you home, as you won't be able to resume driving until your eye doctor clears you. You may experience mild side effects like watery eyes, light sensitivity, swelling, bruising, or pain, but these are temporary and will fade as you continue to heal.

Your oculoplastic surgeon will give you specific recovery instructions, which may include:

• Using prescription eye drops or ointments
• Refraining from strenuous physical activity
• Applying cool compresses or ice packs to reduce swelling
• Sleeping with your head elevated
• Wearing UV-protective sunglasses when outside
• Not rubbing your eyes
• Not wearing contact lenses for about 2 weeks
• Not smoking

You can expect your bruising and swelling to decrease within 10 to 14 days of your procedure. Many patients enjoy lifelong results, with improved vision and/or appearance.

However, it is possible for droopy eyelids to come back.

Do you want to learn more about medical and cosmetic treatment for drooping eyelids? Schedule an appointment at Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, ID, today!

‍