Do your upper eyelids droop, sag, or appear heavy? This can often hinder vision and daily activities. Sometimes the patient will have a small amount of excess skin that bothers them cosmetically. They may feel it makes them look older or more tired than they really are. For them, a cosmetic eyelid or blepharoplasty (removal of the eyelid skin or fat) can be performed.

Blepharoplasty

What is dermatochalasis?

Dermatochalasis is the presence of excess eyelid skin. It can droop over the lashes or just make the lids look “heavy”. 

Functional vs Cosmetic Blepharoplasty

If the droopy lids interfere with vision and a patient’s activities or function (like driving or reading). Eyelid surgery can be performed to improve vision and lift the upper lid out of the upper peripheral vision. This is called functional blepharoplasty. Insurances do pay in certain circumstances if the procedure is primarily to improve function (not appearance). Honestly, many insurances have made this so ridiculously difficult that I expect this to stop soon. 

Additionally, if you are expecting a cosmetic result, I don’t recommend going through insurance. Cosmetic blepharoplasty and functional blepharoplasty are really two different procedures. As I tell patients, I have colleagues who can do a blepharoplasty in 7 minutes, and it looks like it was done in 7 minutes! About 95% of people don’t want that kind of result. 

What is the treatment for dermatochalasis?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery removes skin, excess fatty tissue and tightens aging tissue around the eyes. Insurances never pay for cosmetic eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty is one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed.

Lower eyelid droopiness

Just like the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids can have excessive skin. There can also be puffiness under the lower eyelids giving a tired look and a cosmetically unacceptable look to the patient. This puffiness is not from fluid and can’t be taken away by creams or medicine. That is because the puffiness is actually fat! Normally the fat surrounds and protects the eye. In these cases, it has come forward to bulge under the skin.

Blepharoplasty Procedure at The Eye Clinic of Florida:

Blepharoplasty is surgically removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. Given that everyone’s eyes are unique, Dr. Mahootchi will tailor the treatment to best suit your eye.

For cosmetic blepharoplasty, the lid crease position, the relationship between the brow and lid, and the angles of the edges of the eye (think cat eyes), and even enhancing the lashes upward curl take time and expertise.

Upper lid blepharoplasty is performed by Dr. Mahootchi and at our advanced surgery center in the Tampa Bay area. This treatment can be performed at the same time as a brow lift or ptosis to further rejuvenate the eye area.

Ptosis Repair

What is ptosis?

Ptosis is weakness in the muscle that raises the eyelid. Even the lashes may hang over line sight. The droopy eyelid may appear to get worse towards the end of the day as the muscle gets weaker. Brow ptosis is a sagging of the forehead and the eyebrows, which causes the eyelids to secondarily droop. Patients may have more than one because of their lid problem.

Ptosis means that the upper eyelid is “droopier” than normal. This condition can affect one or both eyes. It can cause difficulty reading or driving, particularly at night or in lowlight conditions, and it can even lead to headaches from the continuous use of the forehead muscles to compensate for droopy eyelids.

What is the treatment for ptosis?

Upper eyelid Ptosis Repair is a procedure that tightens and repositions the levator muscle. The incision is usually hidden in the natural lid crease. Or if a new lid crease is desired, that can be created as well.

Upper eyelid Ptosis Repair can be combined with blepharoplasty, brow procedures, or canthal procedures. It can recreate the upward curl of the lashes of our youth. This opens the upper eyelids, creating a more youthful, rested, and symmetrical appearance.

Ptosis Repair Procedure at The Eye Clinic of Florida:

The procedure is performed at our state-of-art surgery center in Tampa Bay by Dr. Mahootchi and staff. Upper eyelid Ptosis Repair can also be performed in conjunction with upper eyelid Blepharoplasty and/or Brow Lift surgery to achieve a harmonious, rejuvenated appearance of the forehead, brow, and upper eyelids. Dr. Mahootchi will provide comprehensive aftercare instructions for you to follow. Bruising and swelling are usually minimal, but we will go over the specifics of your particular case.

Same-Day Surgery Center

Eyelid surgery is done at our Same-Day Surgery Center. Some light sedation, either by pills or an IV, is given along with a local anesthetic. After the surgery bruising and swelling usually lasts one to two weeks. There however, is little or no pain or discomfort associated with this procedure or restrictions after the surgery. Patients typically heal well without evidence of a scar.