Blepharoplasty Morgantown, WV | Eyelid Surgery Cumberland, MD

A lot of attention is given publicly to someone’s eye area. Sometimes it is the first thing people notice. Eyes and eyelids can be an attractive element unique to each individual. During the natural aging process, the skin around our eyes undergoes changes and often stretches, inducing skin laxity and wrinkles. Eyelids begin to get saggy. In many cases, vision is obstructed and there is a peripheral field of vision loss. In cases such as this, we might suggest Blepharoplasty.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical eye procedure designed to remove fat along with excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids. If a patient has drooping eyelids or heavy bags under the eyes, blepharoplasty can improve both vision quality and facial appearance. This surgery is not a replacement surgery for BOTOX injections and will not remove crow’s feet or wrinkles.

There are Two General Types of Blepharoplasty:

To perform upper eyelid surgery, an incision is made in the upper eyelid crease to remove excess eyelid skin. The original incision is then closed with fine, dissolvable stitches.

Because the incisions are made in the eyelids’ natural contours, they are barely visible. These cut-marks will eventually dissolve or fade over time. There is a mild amount of bruising following this type of surgery, but does not last long and is usually gone within 1-2 weeks.

To perform lower eyelid surgery, the incision can be made internally or externally through the skin. A surgeon will typically make this decision based on what is right for the patient. The internal approach leaves no external incision line, while the external incision is placed just below the eyelid margin to disguise its appearance. Recovery times are similar to upper eyelid surgery.

If you are bothered by changes in your lid appearance, you may be an excellent candidate for blepharoplasty. Most of the time, this procedure is covered by insurance. Photos are taken and visual field testing is performed prior to surgery to see if the patient qualifies for insurance coverage. Patients must be off blood-thinning medications prior to surgery.

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.