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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffYou might consider blepharoplasty if drooping or sagging eyelids keep your eyes from opening completely or pull your lower eyelids down. Removing excess tissue from your upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both can improve vision and make your eyes appear younger and more alert. Blepharoplasty may be an option if you have:
- Baggy or puffy upper eyelids
- Excess skin of the upper eyelid that interferes with your vision
- Droopy lower eyelids, which may cause white to show below the iris (colored part of the eye)
- Excess skin on lower eyelids
- Bags under your eyes
Blepharoplasty can be performed at the same time as another procedure, such as a brow lift, face-lift or skin resurfacing. If you have the surgery only to improve your appearance, the cost probably won't be covered by insurance.
References
- Surgery of the eyelids. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. http://www.aafprs.org/patient/procedures/blepharoplasty.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- What is cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Eyelid surgery risks and safety information. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery.html?sub=Eyelid%20surgery%20risks%20and%20safety%20information. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Losee JE, et al. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5023372&searchStr=blepharoplasty#5023372. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- What to expect during your eyelid surgery consultation. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery.html?sub=What%20to%20expect%20during%20your%20eyelid%20surgery%20consultation. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. http://www.surgery.org/consumers/procedures/head/eyelid-surgery. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Vasconez HC, et al. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. In: Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5315770&searchStr=blepharoplasty. Accessed May 16, 2011.
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