There are many conditions that can affect vision and these change as we age. Not all of these come from problems with the eye, itself. With aging, the skin begins to lose its elasticity. Eyelids stretch as the muscles supporting them weaken and gravity inevitably starts to take over, resulting in excessive skin accumulating on the upper eyelid. This is commonly called a drooping eyelid. Besides loose skin, some of the other causes for drooping eyelids are muscle weakness or nerve damage brought about by injury, disease or birth defect.
Whatever causes the eyelid to droop, when the sagging is significant, the result is the same; impaired vision. Besides actually interfering with vision, sagging and baggy upper and lower eyelids can make it difficult to wear eyeglasses and even impossible to wear contacts. It is not uncommon that the condition becomes serious enough that for normal sight to be restored, some sort of corrective procedure is required.
The most common type of surgery for the repair of drooping eyelids is blepharoplasty. Although this might not be familiar to a lot of people, the term comes from the Greek “blepharon”, meaning eyelid, and “plastos”, meaning formed, and was first used to describe eyelid reconstruction done in 1818. The concept, however, can be found as far back as 1478 in De re Medica, written by Aulus Cornelius Celsus, considered one of Rome’s most important contributors to medical and scientific thought.
Drooping eyelids are not only a concern when it comes to vision issues. Aging skin can have a definite aesthetic impact. Sagging skin and the resulting bags and wrinkles are one of the most prominent signs of aging. While certainly not a cure-all or fountain of youth, upper and lower lid blepharoplasty can make the eyes appear younger and more alert.
Some of the most common issues that can be treated with eyelid surgery include:
How do you know if eyelid surgery is right for you? Just like each person is different, so are the reasons for having surgical procedures. Depending upon the reasons leading you to seek eyelid surgery, the results can be substantial. Among other things, this can include improving your vision, enhancing your appearance and increasing your self-confidence. The best candidates for eyelid surgery are those in otherwise good health who have realistic expectations. It is always important to define and communicate your goals with your eye care professional to insure the best chance of success and satisfaction with this or any procedure.
If you are having issues with drooping eyelids, Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts is ready to provide high-quality, comprehensive care in our four convenient Long Island office locations. For more information about astigmatism, or if you have other questions or comments, please call the office most convenient to you, Bellmore, Great Neck, Little Neck or Huntington. If you would like to schedule an appointment, simply click here to go to our online scheduler.
