If you’ve begun to notice the signs of aging, it’s likely that you’ve noticed loose skin around the eyes. Loose skin around the eyes is largely due to genetic causes. Over time, the eyelids are one of the first places to sag and lose firmness. This can make you look tired, sad, or unhappy. In some cases, loose skin can also affect vision. Loose skin around the eye is called dermatochalasis, and upper and lower lid blepharoplasty procedures are effective plastic surgery solutions.
What is Dermatochalasis?
Dermatochalasis refers to loose skin around the eyelids. This can cause a “baggy” appearance to the lower eyelid and a “hooded” appearance to the upper eyelid. In the upper eyelid, the loose skin can hang down into the visual field, causing less light to reach the pupil. This can make the vision poor at night or in other low light situations. Both loose skin around the eyelid or a droopy eyelid (part of a condition called ptosis), can also affect the ability to perform tasks like driving or reading.
What is the difference between Ptosis and Dermatochalasis?
Ptosis is caused by paralysis or muscle weakness rather than excessive skin. Ptosis can present at birth known as “congenital ptosis”, and can be acquired meaning it is caused by trauma. Some patients have ptosis from repeated stretch injury due to wearing hard contact lenses, from cataract surgery where the eye is propped open or from tumors around the orbit. Ptosis can also be the result of an injury to the bones or soft tissues around the eye.
Eyelid Surgery in Dallas
Drooping eyelids will usually need surgery in the form of blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin, muscle, and fat. Dr. Azouz can also tighten the levator muscles for additional lift and repositioning. Eyelid surgery can offer a more cosmetic and younger appearance. In patients where the eyelid is blocking light from reaching the eye, it can also improve your vision. Dr. Azouz can also recreate the fold of the eyelid so that it is easier to apply makeup.
Cost of Eyelid Surgery
The cost of eyelid surgery is variable and very dependent on the individual patient. Financing options are available. Insurance does not usually cover eye-lid surgery and almost never covers primary lower lid surgery. Dr. Azouz will assess the individual patients’ needs and can provide a quote for the cost of eyelid surgery after a history and physical examination are performed. Patients usually can improve the cost of their plastic surgery procedures by combining the surgery with cosmetic face and body procedures such as liposuction, facelift, breast augmentation, and gynecomastia surgery.
Final Results of Eyelid Surgery
Dr. Azouz will provide recommendations on eye drops and icing to keep the eyes moisturized and free of irritation after eyelid surgery. It’s important to avoid rubbing or itching your eyes while they recover. After a full recovery, patients enjoy a more youthful and refreshed look without sagging or excess skin. In the case of corrected dermatochalasis or ptosis many patients enjoy the improvement to the vision after the swelling subsides and the final results emerge.
Schedule an Eyelid Consultation with Dr. Azouz
Eyelid surgery can be an excellent option for refreshing your face look. To get started, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Azouz who can plan the ideal facial procedure for you and your goals. Dr. Azouz also combines eyelid surgery with rhinoplasty, neck liposuction, neck lifts, facelifts, and brow lifts. We invite you to contact us by calling us at 972-702-8888 or by filling out our online contact form.
