People decide to have eyelid surgery for a variety of reasons. At Worcester Ophthalmology Associates, we provide both medical (insurance-covered) and cosmetic procedures.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty removes excess upper or lower lid skin. People who have extra upper eyelid skin (dermatochalasis) can have problems with their peripheral vision (upper and side), headaches from raising their brows to see better, and irritation from extra skin resting on the eyelashes. Sometimes this is symptomatic enough for medical insurance to cover removal of the extra skin. This is called a medical upper lid blepharoplasty. If the extra skin is simply unattractive or does not meet insurance criteria for medical necessity, the procedure is called a cosmetic upper lid blepharoplasty. Excess lower eyelid skin can result in bags under the eyes. Repair of this is most often cosmetic, and the procedure is called a cosmetic lower lid blepharoplasty. Lower lid blepharoplasty can be performed either from the inside or the outside of your lids, which will be determined at your consultation.
Ptosis Repair
When the eyelids themselves are droopy (not just extra skin), this is called ptosis. Ptosis can result from a number of conditions including neurological conditions such as myasthenia gravis, 3rd nerve palsies, or facial nerve damage. Often, however, ptosis results from stretching out or detachment of the muscle that raises the lid (levator muscle). In this case, the muscle can be tightened or reattached using stitches either from the outside or inside of the lid, also called external ptosis repair or internal ptosis repair. Some people are born with droopy lids (congenital ptosis), and special techniques will need to be used to allow the lids to function.
Lid Position Repair
When the eyelid turns in (entropion) or out (ectropion), this can cause symptomatic tearing and irritation. Surgery can be used to correct these conditions to provide a better anatomic position for the lids.
We also provide the following oculoplastics services, including but not limited to:
- Orbital surgery (eye socket), including fracture repair, tumor removal, orbital implants, and reconstructions
- Mohs surgery reconstructions and other eyelid reconstructions
- Blepharospasm treatment
- Lacrimal surgery
- Removal of eyelid lesions
We work in conjunction with a trusted network of subspecialists including otorhinolaryngologists (ENT or ear, nose, and throat surgeons), dermatologists, radiation oncologists, and neurosurgeons.