Do you notice excess skin in the upper eyelids so your eyelid skin is literally resting on your eyelashes!? Or do you have sagging upper eyelids so the edge of the upper lid where the lashes emerge is covering part of your pupil?

You might benefit from an upper lid lift (blepharoplasty) or you might need to raise the margin of your eyelid so you can see better, or you might need both!

Who needs an upper blepharoplasty?

Almost all of us eventually has excess upper eyelid skin and will benefit from an upper blepharoplasty. The difference is when it occurs; some people have excess upper lid tissue in their 20’s or 30’s whereas others do not develop the condition until much later in life. An upper blepharoplasty is one of the best procedures in cosmetic surgery because it treats the problem effectively almost all the time with a short procedure and very few complications, frequently under local anesthesia.

What is Ptosis?

Ptosis is a medical term for a droopy eyelid. Ptosis does not refer to excess skin above the eyelashes as mentioned above. Ptosis refers to the actual edge of the eyelid being too low and obstructing the vision. This is common but much less common than the problem mentioned above which eventually affects everyone.

Ptosis can affect one eye or both and be present at birth or may develop later in life. Patients with ptosis tend to use their eyebrow muscles to keep their eyes open and this causes deep brow wrinkles and can be tiring and/or cause headaches.

What is the difference between a blepharoplasty and a ptosis correction?

In an upper blepharoplasty, excess skin, muscle and fat are removed from the upper eyelid. The procedure is often performed in isolation or can be performed in combination with other procedures such as a browlift, facelift or fat grafting.

The treatment of ptosis depends on the exact cause of the droopy eyelid. The most common procedure is to shorten the muscle called the levator palpebrae superioris that raises the eyelid.

Are these procedures covered by insurance?

Upper blepharoplasty is not covered by insurance and ptosis correction usually is covered by insurance.

Consult a Surgeon with Extensive Experience in Performing Eyelid Plastic Surgery

As with any procedure on your face, the best advice is to see a plastic surgeon with extensive experience. Dr. Charles H. Thorne is a plastic surgeon in NYC with 30 years’ experience.  Reach out to us to discuss your situation and the best options available for you.