Top Causes of Droopy Eyelids
A blepharoplasty is a popular type of surgery that repairs droopy eyelids. The procedure can involve removing excess skin, muscle, and fat around the area. One of the natural effects of the aging process is stretching and sagging of the eyelids, and the muscles that support the eyelids tend to weaken over time. Not only does this create an unattractive appearance, but it also reduces the vision over time and can severely impair peripheral vision. Some of the other potential causes of droopy eyelids include:
- Improperly placed Botox injections
- Glaucoma
- Myasthenia gravis, in which a patient loses muscle control
- Third nerve palsy, in which a patient’s ability to move eyes is damaged
- Neurological disorders
- Eye injuries
- Autoimmune conditions
- Diabetes
- Stroke
About the Blepharoplasty Procedure
Because of this wide range of potential causes, we can perform blepharoplasties for both cosmetic and medical reasons. If you opt for a blepharoplasty procedure to fix droopy eyelids, it will entail the following steps:
- Anesthesia
As with most medical procedures, anesthesia is necessary during this procedure. It is important that the patient understands the process of anesthesia and is healthy enough to undergo this. This will help ensure the patient’s comfort during the procedure and prevent unnecessary pain.
- Incision
We must create incision lines during a blepharoplasty in order to remove excessive eyelid tissues and create the desired results for the patient. We typically make an incision along the upper eyelid by following along the natural fold of the eyelid. If the patient would like the lower eyelid corrected, we can make the same type of incision below the lash line. We can remove and reposition excess fat and skin and tighten the muscles in this same way.
- Incision closing
After we make the incision and remove or reposition the excess tissue as needed, we will need to close the incision. We use sutures, or stitches, to do so, and they will need to be removed after a week. After the incision is closed, the patient might experience some swelling or minor discomfort. Most patients are able to return to their normal activities seven to ten days after the procedure, and any uncomfortable symptoms should subside within two weeks.
Dr. Gorodisky is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has spent the majority of his entire career performing cosmetic surgeries. He takes a personalized and individualized approach to each case, and is happy to walk you through the blepharoplasty process in detail to help you find out if this is the best way to achieve the results you desire.
To learn more about how a blepharoplasty can help you correct droopy eyelids, call us at (805) 978-8545 or contact us online.