Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Surgery
An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee), is a surgical procedure to remove skin and to add or remove fat from the eyelids. The term "eyelid lift" is a misconception because the eyelid is not lifted during surgery.
As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess fat may gather above and below your eyelids, causing sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids and bags under your eyes.
Besides making you look older, severely sagging skin around your eyes can reduce your side vision (peripheral vision), especially the upper and outer parts of your field of vision. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate these vision problems and make your eyes appear younger and more alert.
You might consider blepharoplasty if droopy or sagging eyelids keep your eyes from opening completely or pull down your lower eyelids. Removing excess tissue from your upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both can improve vision and make your eyes appear younger and more alert.
Blepharoplasty may be an option if you have:
- Baggy or droopy upper eyelids
- Excess skin of the upper eyelids that interferes with your peripheral vision
- Droopy lower eyelids, which may cause white to show below the colored part of the eye (iris)
- Excess skin on the lower eyelids
- Bags under your eyes
Your ECVA surgeon will perform blepharoplasty on an outpatient basis at the Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Insurance coverage may depend on whether the surgery repairs a condition that impairs vision. If you have the surgery only to improve your appearance, the cost probably won't be covered by insurance.
Eyelid Problems
Common eyelid problems include dermatochalasis, blepharoptosis, entropion, ectropion, and blepharitis. Learn more about symptoms and treatment options at eyeSmart.
