Upper and Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

You may be a good candidate if you have droopy upper eyelids that hang over the lashes, create deep folds, or make you look tired. Under-eye bags or puffiness that persist despite good sleep and healthy habits also respond well to surgery. These signs often develop due to natural aging and loss of skin elasticity.

When droopy upper eyelids block your peripheral, or side, vision, it can interfere with daily activities like driving and reading. Your eye doctor may perform a visual field test to measure the extent of vision loss. If the test shows significant impairment, insurance may help cover the cost of upper eyelid surgery.

Good candidates are generally healthy non-smokers without uncontrolled medical conditions like diabetes or severe dry eye. Most patients are over 35, but younger people with genetic traits may also benefit. There is no strict age limit for the procedure. During your consultation, your eye doctor will review your complete health history to ensure you are a safe candidate.

Before proceeding with blepharoplasty, it is important to address any existing eye conditions. Dry eye, glaucoma, or other eye health issues may require treatment first or special monitoring during surgery. Our comprehensive eye doctors will evaluate your complete eye health to create a safe surgical plan.

Ideal candidates understand both the benefits and potential risks of the procedure. A thorough consultation is key to clarifying goals, ensuring you have realistic expectations, and exploring all available options before making a decision.

Your surgeon will review your medical history and perform an eye exam to check for conditions like dry eye or glaucoma that need to be managed first. Blood tests or additional clearance from your primary care doctor may be required to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery. At ReFocus Eye Health Hamden, we take a comprehensive approach to ensure all aspects of your eye health are optimized before surgery.

You will need to stop taking blood-thinning medications and certain supplements at least one week before surgery to reduce bleeding risk. Your surgeon will provide a complete list of what to avoid. Common items to stop include:

• Aspirin and ibuprofen
• Herbal supplements like ginkgo, garlic, and fish oil
• Vitamin E
• Other blood-thinning medications as directed by your surgeon

Quitting smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery is critical, as smoking dramatically increases complication rates and slows healing. You must also arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

Prepare your recovery area with extra pillows to keep your head elevated, as well as ice packs, eye drops, and easy-to-prepare meals. Having everything you need within reach will help you rest comfortably during the first few days of recovery.

Most visible bruising and swelling improve within 1 to 2 weeks, allowing a return to work and social activities. You can typically resume strenuous exercise within 3 to 4 weeks. Complete healing and final results take 3 to 6 months as the tissues fully settle.

Incisions are strategically placed in natural eyelid creases or inside the lower lids where they are well-hidden. With proper wound care and sun protection, most scars fade to thin, nearly invisible lines within a year.

Upper eyelid surgery may be covered by insurance if drooping lids significantly block your vision, a condition that must be documented by a formal visual field test. Lower eyelid surgery and procedures performed for purely cosmetic reasons are typically not covered. Our office staff can help verify your insurance coverage.

The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting, typically for 10 to 15 years or even longer. While the surgery does not stop the natural aging process, most patients will always look more refreshed than if they had never had the procedure.

Select a board-certified ophthalmologist or plastic surgeon who specializes in oculoplastic, or eyelid, surgery. You should review their before-and-after photos, read patient reviews, and confirm they have extensive experience performing the specific procedure you need. Ask about their training and surgical expertise during your consultation.

Costs can vary based on your geographic location, the surgeon's expertise, and the extent of the surgery. On average, surgeon fees can range from 3,000 dollars to 5,000 dollars for upper lids alone or 5,000 dollars to 8,000 dollars for a combined upper and lower procedure. This does not include separate fees for anesthesia or the surgical facility. Ask about financing options during your consultation.

For mild concerns, non-surgical options like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser treatments can provide temporary improvement by relaxing wrinkles or adding volume. However, these treatments cannot remove significant excess skin or fat pads and are not a substitute for surgery in moderate to severe cases. Your eye doctor can help determine if non-surgical options might work for you.

You should call your surgeon immediately if you experience severe or worsening pain, any sudden change or loss of vision, heavy bleeding, or signs of an infection such as fever, pus from the incision, or increasing redness and warmth around the eye.