Lid Lifts – Correction of Drooping Eyelids

Several different forms of droopy lid conditions can be treated at the Parschauer Eye Center. When considering a lid lift, you should have a comprehensive eye exam by either the primary eye doctors at the Parschauer Eye Center or by your local optometrist. Gene Johnson, M.D., our lid specialist, then sees the patient for a lid lift evaluation.

You may want to have a lid lift procedure performed for either cosmetic or to correct functional vision loss. Droopy eyelids can be unappealing cosmetically, but they can also affect your overall eyesight. During the evaluation, our staff will test to see whether a lid lift will benefit your overall vision.

In most cases, if we can prove that you will experience a visual benefit by having a lid procedure performed, we will attempt to submit the claim to your medical insurance company.

Two main categories of drooping lids

Dermatochalasis
Excess or baggy skin around the eyelids usually associated with age or loss of skin elasticity.

Ptosis
A drooping of the upper eyelid is usually greater in one eye than the other, and is usually associated with trauma or a nerve condition.

Causes of drooping lids

  • Age
  • Trauma
  • After eye surgery
  • Nerve conditions
    • Myasthenia Gravis
    • Bell’s Palsy
    • Vascular problems – example: diabetes
    • Stroke

Correction of Drooping Eyelids

Blepharoplasty – Lid surgery to alter lid position or remove excess skin
Blepharoplasty can be an in-office or hospital procedure, depending on your medical or insurance conditions. Instead of a scalpel, Dr. Johnson uses an incision procedure with a CO2 laser to minimize the bleeding and bruising caused by the procedure. Incorporating the laser into the surgery allows quicker recovery and less trauma to the eyelids.

Facts about Blepharoplasty with a CO2 laser

  • Complex surgery which requires complete knowledge of lid anatomy.
  • Outpatient Hospital or In-Office procedure
  • CO2 Laser used for fine, accurate incisions
  • Less trauma than other procedures
  • Less bruising than other procedures
  • Faster recovery
  • Rarely mastered by other general plastic surgeons
  • Utilized to treat lid problems such as
    • Dermatochalasis
    • Ptosis