You probably take your eyelids for granted like most people, but a number of eyelid issues can obstruct your vision and even cause pain. Aging can affect the eyelids, as can trauma. You can even be born with certain conditions. However, ophthalmologists can solve many of these problems with eyelid surgery. 

Eyelid surgery is one of the top five cosmetic procedures each year. While the signs of aging can add years to your face, sophisticated cosmetic procedures can make you naturally look younger.

What are the different types of eyelid surgeries? How are cosmetic eyelid surgeries different from functional procedures to correct health problems? This blog has answers that will help you understand the options you have if you’re having trouble with your eyelids.

What Eyelid Conditions Require Surgery?

Eyelid surgery is helpful in treating all kinds of health-related issues affecting the eye:

  • Ectropion occurs when the eyelid turns outward to expose the inner part of the eyelid
  • Entropion occurs when the eyelid turns inward so that the lashes rub against your eyeball
  • Facial palsies can keep the eyelid from shutting properly
  • Lacrimal duct clogging means that the natural tears of the eye can’t drain away
  • Ptosis is a condition where the upper lid of the eye droops down and impairs your vision
  • Trichiasis happens when your eyelashes grow in the wrong direction and rub against the eye
  • Chalazion or Hordeolum are inflamed or infected oil glands in your eyelid that appear as a red, swollen bump, and can be painful or have discharge. These are often called eyelid “styes.” These can be treated medically, or surgically if severe or chronic.
  • Growths (moles, skin tags, warts, cysts) can grow around your eyelids and sometimes start to touch your eye, cause irritation or block your vision.
  • Skin cancers can grow anywhere on your body, including around the eyes.

Your eyelids play an important role in protecting the health of your eyes. They cover and protect the very delicate cornea of the eye. They also help distribute tears to keep the eye moist. When the eyelid malfunctions, your eye can become irritated, dry and inflamed. This can impact your vision and also change how you look and feel.

What Are the Types of Eyelid Surgeries?

Sarah Kim, D.O., M.P.H., is an oculoplastic surgeon at Ocala Eye, specializing in eyelid repair and reconstruction. The eyelid surgeries she performs are divided into two types: cosmetic and functional.

Cosmetic eyelid surgeries concentrate on rejuvenating your appearance by reducing lines, bags, and other signs of aging. These procedures are typically not covered by insurance because they are not correcting a physical health issue.

Functional eyelid surgeries are medically necessary to improve the health of your eye. For example, if your eyes are drooping and blocking your vision, functional eyelid surgery can help you see better.

In terms of the benefits, there is some overlap between cosmetic eyelid surgery and functional. For example, you may have a health condition that requires eyelid surgery. So, while the doctor fixes the underlying health condition, there may also be cosmetic improvements performed as a secondary benefit of the procedure.

What Are Cosmetic Eyelid Surgeries?

Blepharoplasty is the most common of cosmetic eyelid surgeries. This procedure can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids.

Lower blepharoplasty can eliminate those bags under your eye that make you look perpetually tired. The procedure can eliminate loose skin, saggy tissue, and fat from around the lower eye area. While puffy eyes may be blamed on a lack of sleep or allergies, in fact, the issue could be related to lower eyelid fat prolapse. The eyes are seated in a delicate mass of tissue with muscle and fat designed to protect these delicate structures. This fat can droop, causing you to look tired and older than you feel. Lower blepharoplasty can reshape or remove the fat while tightening the skin around the eyes. This results in a brighter, more rested, and more youthful appearance.

Upper blepharoplasty can eliminate loose skin and fat above the eye. This gives a more youthful appearance to the eyes. Upper blepharoplasty is increasingly popular, listed as the fourth most performed cosmetic surgery each year.

What Are Functional Eyelid Surgeries?

Functional eyelid surgeries are medically indicated to improve the health of your eye or clarity and scope of your vision. Thus, when eyelid surgery becomes necessary for functional reasons, it is often covered by most medical insurance plans.

Functional eyelid surgeries can be performed for any of the conditions mentioned above.

Am I a Candidate for Oculoplastic Eyelid Surgery?

You should schedule an eyelid consultation with our oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Sarah Kim. Oculoplastics is a highly specialized field concentrating on disorders that affect the eyelids and tissues around the eyes. Dr. Kim will perform a thorough evaluation and inform you whether you are a candidate for eyelid surgery. For certain functional eyelid surgeries, further testing to prove you are a candidate may be required by your medical insurance provider. It is important to note that you should be in good health in order to proceed with surgery.  

Ocala Eye is proud to offer both cosmetic and functional eyelid surgeries. Our experienced team has helped thousands of patients who want to look and feel their best. Contact the team at Ocala Eye to talk about options available to you.

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