Droopy Eyelids: How to Fix?

Zoom video calls have become a common fact of life especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. More and more people are working from home. Hence video conferencing is the only means to do their jobs and to socialize. More time on video calls – means more people noticing things they would not mind changing about their facial appearance – including droopy eyelids.

Surprisingly, facial procedures have increased during the pandemic, including for eyelid lifts for droopy eyes. The most common reasons given were more time on video calls as one has to work from home, 

What are Droopy Eyelids?

Droopy eyelids are common, especially with age. Over time your skin will begin to sag. Your upper eyelids are one place where you tend to thin and lose elasticity. As a result, your eyelids can look droopy, even sleepy too.

Do not worry. Droopy eyelids are generally a harmless sign of aging. On the contrary, not everyone is happy with this outcome. Plastic surgery is an option these days.

As you know, drooping eyelids are commonly associated with aging. But if you are seriously concerned about your appearance, cosmetic surgery will help. You can talk to your plastic surgeon, and discuss the various treatment options available.

Sometimes, a droopy eyelid can sag so much above your eyes that it covers your pupil. It may also affect your sight. You may need surgery to maintain your vision in such cases.

What Causes Droopy Eyelids?

Do you know that a drooping eyelid is also known as ptosis? It might be present from birth. Or you can also develop it later in life. In some, it might also be the result of an injury. It is often common in older adults, it could happen in people of all ages. 

In children, ptosis can be severe, leading to vision problems if it interferes with vision. The kid’s affected eye might become weaker. It may cause amblyopia or lazy eye, or strabismus (wandering eye).

What are the Symptoms of Droopy Eyelids?

A droopy eyelid often occurs when one or both upper eyelids sag or drop lower than normal. Your doctor could help you determine whether it is related to an underlying condition. They may also explain to check if it is caused due to aging or family history.

If your drooping eyelids result from aging or something you were born with, your doctor might not recommend anything. Probably because the condition is not likely to threaten your health. However, plastic surgery is a viable option if you want to reduce the drooping effect and improve your appearance.

How to Fix Droopy Eyelids Without Surgery?

Non-surgical treatments often help make your eyes look more youthful. Injections like Botox and Dysport and even dermal fillers can tighten the skin of your eyelids.

You can consult a board-certified plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon to help you choose the right treatment plan for your droopy eyelids.

How to Fix Droopy Eyelids with Plastic Surgery

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery may be performed for functional, reconstructive, or even cosmetic purposes.

An upper eyelid lift typically involves removing excess skin. It may also include eliminating extra muscle and fat from the upper eyelids. When the surgery is for cosmetic reasons, your surgeon’s goal is to provide a more open look to your eyes and a youthful appearance.  

Why is Eyelid Surgery Necessary?

Are you considering plastic surgery for aesthetic reasons? An eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, has grown in popularity and number in recent years. Today eyelid surgery is one of the most popular procedures. It is counted as one of the top five cosmetic surgeries performed in just one year.  

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a surgery that repairs droopy eyelids and might involve removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. 

With age, your eyelids start to stretch. The supporting muscles then get weakened. As a result, excess fat may gather above and below your eyelids. The condition leads to droopy upper lids, sagging eyebrows (eyebrow lift surgery), and even bags under your eyes.

Such sagging eyelids generally make you look older. Moreover, severely sagging your facial skin, mostly around your eyes, may reduce your side or peripheral vision.  

The condition primarily affects the outer and upper parts of your field of vision. The surgery can be beneficial as it eliminates or reduces these vision problems. Thus making your eyes appear younger, attractive, and more alert.

You need to decide if eyelid surgery is right for you. Therefore, to find out what you can realistically expect after the surgery you should explore the benefits and risks of blepharoplasty.

Why is Eyelid Surgery Done?

Most of you consider eyelid surgery if you have droopy or sagging eyelids that prevent your eyes from opening completely. Otherwise, you can view this surgery if your upper eyelids pull down the lower eyelids. Your surgeon will remove the excess tissue from your upper eyelids during the surgery, thus improving your vision. It is important to note that upper and lower lid surgery can make your eyes appear younger, youthful, and alert.

Most people opt for this surgery mainly for cosmetic reasons. Note that it is also an effective way to improve sight. Especially in older people whose sagging upper eyelids get in the manner of their vision.

You can consider eyelid surgery if you have any of the following conditions:

• Droopy eyelids or if you have baggy upper eyelids.
• If you have excess skin on your upper eyelids, that may interfere with your peripheral vision.
• You have bags under your eyes.
• If you have excess skin on the lower eyelids.

You may undergo blepharoplasty surgery simultaneously as part of another procedure, like a brow lift, face-lift, or skin resurfacing.

It is important to note that insurance probably will not cover the cost if you plan to have the surgery only to improve your appearance. In most cases, the lower lid blepharoplasty is almost done only for cosmetic reasons.

Along With Other Procedures

But remember, an eye lift surgery could help get rid of crow’s feet or other facial wrinkles. The treatment is done along with other procedures like forehead lifts, laser filler injections, or resurfacing.

As your skin ages, it will gradually lose its elasticity. The lack of elasticity and the constant pull from gravity often causes excess skin to collect around your eyelids.

But if the excess skin is visible on the lower eyelid, it may cause wrinkles and bulges. On your upper eyelids, you will notice extra folds of skin hanging over the eyelashes. This overlap often gets in the way of your sight. 

After the Surgery

Once the procedure is completed your surgeon will apply ointment in your eyes to keep them moist. They may also cover them with cold compresses while you are still in the recovery room. Right after surgery, you may also have blurry vision from the ointment. Do not worry. In addition, your eyes may be sensitive to light. Moreover, your eyes might feel dry or watery too.

You need to note that most of these symptoms will reduce if you put ice packs on your eyes. Also if you sleep with your head raised for the first night following the surgery. Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions for taking care of yourself post surgery.

Generally patients who are 35 years or older opt for this procedure. But if droopy eyelids or baggy eyelids run in your family, you might decide to have the surgery done sooner.

Recovery Time for Eyelid Surgery

Most patients generally require a short recovery time immediately after eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty. Although bruising and swelling are usually worse on the day after surgery, they might quickly begin to disappear. 

During the first 48 hours post-surgery, cool compresses might greatly help reduce swelling and bruising around your eyes and face. Following light activities like walking or exercises may help speed the healing process.

Your doctor will place bandages over the incision sites and remove them after several days. In contrast, the stitches remain in the skin for about a week. Sometimes your surgeon may use self-absorbing stitches that do not require removal.

You can return to normal activities after seven to ten days following eyelid surgery. By two weeks after surgery, most of the swelling and bruising will resolve.

Results

Many patients often express satisfaction after the procedure. It is probably because it gives a more rested and youthful appearance and gives you more self-confidence. However, for some, the surgery results may last a lifetime. While for others, droopy eyelids may recur.

It is important to note that the swelling and bruising generally subside in ten to fourteen days. Once the swelling subsides, you may feel comfortable going out in public again. But the scars from the surgical cuts may take a while to fade. You only need to take extra care to protect your delicate eyelid skin from too much sun exposure.

Conclusion

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is indeed an elective procedure. But it is essential to know that a functional eyelid surgery may be covered by insurance. Remember that it would apply to cases where the eyelids sag so much that it blocks one’s vision.