Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is among the most popular cosmetic surgery options. The procedure takes years off the appearance of the face, making the patient look more youthful and rejuvenated. However, it makes more sense to choose an ophthalmic plastic surgeon — rather than a general plastic surgeon — to perform blepharoplasty, as nothing is more precious than your vision. You don’t want to take any risks, however slight, when it comes to eye surgery. In this post, our eye doctors at Boston Eye Physicians & Surgeons explain why ophthalmic plastic surgeons are the best choice for eyelid surgery.
Blepharoplasty
With aging comes drooping and sagging all over the body. The eyes are just as vulnerable as any other area. Loose skin and excess fat make people look older. Saggy eyelids can also make people look angry or sad, even though they aren’t feeling those emotions. Because the eyelid skin is thinner than skin elsewhere on the body, it tends to stretch significantly over time. Saggy lids also decrease our peripheral visual fields and limit our visual functions.
Some adult patients may suffer from ptosis, a condition in which the upper eyelid’s levator muscle, responsible for eyelid elevation and retraction, separates itself from the eyelid. Blepharoplasty also corrects ptosis.
By removing excess skin and fat on the upper eyelids, as well as eliminating bags under the lower lids, the patient’s appearance is greatly enhanced. They no longer look angry or sad. Instead, they look the way they did before the sagging set in.
Blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis, with local anesthesia without intravenous sedation. Some patients may opt oral sedation.
Blepharoplasty and Visual Impairment
Blepharoplasty is usually thought of as a cosmetic procedure, but it can also correct visual impairment resulting from excess skin and fat. For patients whose peripheral vision is affected by sagging eyelids, upper eyelid surgery can improve their field of vision.
When performed as a purely cosmetic procedure, blepharoplasty is not covered by insurance. However, when it is medically necessary to improve the field of vision, , health insurance may cover part or all of the procedure.
Oculoplastic Surgery
Many eye surgeons undergo additional oculoplastic surgery training to be an ophthalmic plastic surgeon. They specialize in medical and cosmetic procedures for the eyes and the facial areas surrounding the eyes.
Unlike a general plastic surgeon, who may perform procedures on body parts ranging from the forehead to the feet, ophthalmic plastic surgeons deal only with the eyes and surrounding anatomy. They are highly specialty trained on eye cosmetic surgeries.
Schedule Your Consultation in Boston
If you would like more information about blepharoplasty performed by a skilled ophthalmic plastic surgeon, schedule a consultation at Boston Eye Physicians & Surgeons today by calling (617) 232-9600 or filling out our online form.
