As we age, the skin loses some elasticity, and collagen begins to disappear. This results in many areas of the face beginning to sag or droop. While there are many over-the-counter remedies and topical solutions available, the area around the eyes can be stubborn. Not just any over-the-counter cream or lotion will fix high levels of droopiness or sagging. As a result, many patients consult plastic surgeons about how to fix droopy eyelids.
What causes droopy eyelids?
Droopy eyelids, medically known as ptosis, occur for a variety of reasons. Ranging from natural causes to more serious conditions, your doctor will help you identify what’s causing the issue.
Each patient is unique and anyone can get droopy eyelids. However, it’s most common in older adults because of the natural aging process. The levator muscle, which is responsible for lifting the eyelid, can stretch as we age. This causes the eyelid to fall.
In some cases, the exact cause is unknown. However, in some cases, it may be due to trauma or as a result of a neurological issue.
How do I know it’s time to consult a cosmetic surgeon?
If you are experiencing severe drooping of your eyelids, you should contact a physician. In these cases, he or she will investigate to make sure there are no larger underlying medical conditions causing the drooping. This is particularly important if you notice that you have had migraines since the drooping began. The main symptom of droopy eyelids is that one or both upper eyelids sag. In some cases, this can affect your vision. However, many people find that the eyelid sagging is barely noticeable or doesn’t happen all the time.
Once a larger underlying medical condition is ruled out, and you have tried over-the-counter products to relieve your symptoms, cosmetic surgery may be considered. You may also experience the following symptoms.
- Have extremely dry or watery eyes
- Your face looks weary or tired
- You may experience aching in the face or eyes
- Severe ptosis may cause you to tilt your head back in order to see
If you have experienced any of the symptoms above, it is time to consult a cosmetic surgeon.
What can I expect from the procedure?
The procedure to fix droopy eyelids is known as blepharoplasty.
Before the procedure
This procedure to fix droopy eyelids is completed in an outpatient setting. Your surgeon will inject a numbing medication into your eyelids and administer anesthesia. For this procedure, anesthesia is usually administered intravenously.
During the procedure
If you require surgery on both your upper and lower eyelids, the surgeon generally will work on your upper lids first. He or she will cut along the fold of the eyelid, remove the excess skin, muscle, and possibly fat. Then, he or she will close the incision.
The surgeon will then make a cut just below the lashes on your lower lid or inside the lower lid. He or she then removes excess fat, muscle, and sagging skin, and closes the incision.
After the procedure
After surgery, you will be brought to a recovery room. There, your medical team will monitor your vitals to ensure your immediate recovery goes smoothly. If your vitals are normal, you can leave later that day to recuperate at home.
What is the recovery time like?
After the procedure, you may temporarily experience any of the following symptoms.
- Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Swelling and bruising
- Watery eyes
- Double vision
- Puffy, numb eyelids
- General discomfort or pain
Generally, bruising and swelling subside in 10 days to 2 weeks. This is likely when you may feel comfortable going out in public again. Scars from the surgical cuts may take months to fade. It is important that you protect your eyelid skin from too much sun exposure after the procedure.
For some people, the results of surgery may last a lifetime. For others, droopy eyelids may recur later on and require another procedure.
Dr. Anthony Berlet can help you
If you’ve been looking for an experienced cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Berlet is among the best in New Jersey.
Anthony Berlet, M.D. is an established plastic surgeon who has been in practice for over 20 years in northern New Jersey. He formed a solid reputation as a plastic surgeon due to his breadth of expertise in a wide array of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
The primary focus of Dr. Berlet’s cosmetic practice is to create a natural, refreshed appearance for the patient, rather than a plastic look.
Dr. Berlet is board-certified in both plastic and general surgery, which gives him a broad base of surgical expertise. Dr. Berlet completed his medical school education and plastic surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, with an additional internship and general surgery residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Over his career, he helped many patients fix droopy eyelids. Contact our team today to learn more!