Droopy Eyelid Treatment

If your eyelids are droopy and interfere with vision while reading or talking with people, you may have a condition called dermatochalasis or ptosis, which affects people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. If you have a significant enough issue, you should seek out an experienced physician at Elmquist Eye Group to diagnose your condition and provide treatment.

Yasaira Rodriguez, MD, a board certified ophthalmologist, along with Kate Wagner, OD and Nina Burt, OD and provide a wide range of eye care services. Elmquist Eye Group has been proudly serving the Southwest Florida region for over 25 years.

Droopy Eyelid Treatment

No matter what type of concern you may have about your eyes, our talented team offers a full range of vision care, from routine exams for glasses to bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery as well as treatment for sight-threatening conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Who develops droopy eyelids?

Eyelid skin is thinner than most other facial skin and is often the first to show signs of aging. Gravity can pull the upper eyelid skin downward, creating extra creases and folds that make us look older. Smoking, sun damage, stretching from weight gain and loss, and wear and tear from blinking and rubbing also contribute to the deterioration of the eyelid tissues and surrounding skin.

These changes are part of the normal aging process, which causes our skin to lose its elasticity. Aging cannot be prevented, but the negative effects can be drastically improved with blepharoplasty.

How do doctors treat the condition?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the eyes. This is achieved through removal of excess skin and/or fat from the eyelids. The procedure may also enhance vision in individuals who have excess upper eyelid skin that sags downward and partially obstructs their peripheral vision.

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both. The procedure is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower lid areas only. It is not designed to remove wrinkles at the outer corners of the eye (i.e. crow’s feet) or drooping eyebrows.

Using a small incision, your surgeon will remove excess skin and possibly fat and reshape the eyelid. The incision is placed in the natural crease (fold) of the eyelid and sutured carefully to hide any scarring and produce the most natural results.

After surgery, most people experience some mild swelling, bruising and redness for seven to 10 days. You may also have some light sensitivity, double vision or watery eyes. After you heal, however, you will look like yourself, but younger and more alert.

Are you a good candidate for upper eyelid surgery?

The best candidates for blepharoplasty are men and women with healthy muscles and facial tissue and those who have realistic expectations about what surgery can accomplish. Most patients who decide to have the procedure are over 35 years of age, but, if your droopy eyelids are hereditary, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

If you are having droopy eyelid issues, you can trust the professionals at Elmquist Eye Group to do a thorough exam and provide the best possible treatment for your condition. Call us today at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure.