Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach

Droopy eyelids have a way of betraying how we truly feel, creating a disconnect between our inner vitality and outward appearance. This frustrating condition can rob you of your natural expressiveness, making it harder to convey emotions and connect with others through eye contact, one of our most important forms of non-verbal communication.

Beyond the social implications, droopy eyelids can create practical challenges in your daily routine, from applying makeup evenly to experiencing eye fatigue from constantly straining to keep your eyes fully open. The psychological impact shouldn’t be underestimated either, as many people report feeling less confident and avoiding photos or social situations.

Luckily, there are various methods that can be used to treat this condition. Keep reading to learn more about the procedures that can help improve droopy eyelids.

What are Droopy Eyelids?

Droopy eyelids occur when your upper or lower eyelids sag downward, affecting your appearance and sometimes your vision. They may be caused by various factors, including aging, genetics, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions.

Droopy eyelids can make you look older and more tired than you feel. In some cases, the extra fat or skin on the upper eyelids might also impair vision.

In others, saggy lower eyelids can cause dry, watery eyes, as well as irritation.

What Procedures Can Improve Droopy Eyelids?

Several procedures can resolve your drooping eyelids, including blepharoplasty and ptosis surgery. Blepharoplasty and ptosis surgery can be performed as standalone procedures, combined, or paired with browpexy or an endoscopic brow/forehead lift.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a procedure performed to correct drooping of the eyelids caused by excess skin or fat. It can be performed for cosmetic or functional reasons.

The procedure rejuvenates the eye area by lifting saggy upper eyelids, removing excess skin and fat, reducing undereye bags, repositioning fatty deposits, and tightening loose muscles.

In addition to fixing droopy upper and lower eyelids, blepharoplasty can also correct the following:

  • Puffy fat deposits
  • Under-eye bags
  • Dark circles
  • Eyelid wrinkles
  • Little or no upper eyelid crease

How Does Blepharoplasty Work?

Depending on your concerns, blepharoplasty may be performed on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.

Upper Blepharoplasty

In upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon places discreet incisions in your upper eyelids. Then, they may remove excess skin and fat, tighten muscles, and recontour fat, leaving you with a more alert, youthful, and rested look.

They’ll complete the surgical procedure with stitches that are hidden in your eyelid’s natural crease, helping prevent visible scarring. If extra upper eyelid skin is hanging down over your eyelashes and obstructing the upper and outer parts of your visual field, removing this skin can improve your vision, enabling you to see clearly again.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty begins with a small incision inside your lower eyelids to minimize visible scarring. The incision can also be made just beneath the lower lash line.

After that, your surgeon may trim away excess skin, tighten sagging or lax tissues, and remove and reposition fatty deposits, restoring a refreshed and youthful contour to the eye area. Finally, they’ll close the incision with fine, meticulously placed sutures, ensuring the scar is less conspicuous.

Ptosis Surgery

Ptosis is a condition in which your upper eyelid sags or droops down over your eye, obstructing your field of vision. It’s caused by dysfunction or weakness of the levator muscle and the Muller’s muscle.

The primary muscle responsible for opening your eyelids is called the levator, while the minor muscle is known as Muller’s muscle. Ptosis can also be hereditary or congenital.

Ptosis surgery is a functional procedure that aims to restore eyelid function, ensuring your eyes open fully and naturally. It shortens or tightens the levator muscle so it can lift and open your eyelids as it should.

During the procedure, your surgeon will make an incision along the eyelid crease to conceal your scar. Through that incision, they’ll stitch the levator muscle to the tarsus or connective tissue in your eyelid.

Doing this tightens the levator muscle, allowing it to raise your eyelids so you can see a full field of vision. Finally, the incision is closed with tiny, delicate stitches.

Ptosis surgery can also be performed using an internal approach. In this method, your surgeon turns your eyelid inside out and shortens the levator muscle or Mueller’s muscle from the inside of your eyelid. No skin incisions are needed for this approach.

Browpexy

A browpexy is a minimally invasive procedure that subtly lifts the eyebrows to correct brow drooping. It can be performed from a tiny incision above your brow or within your eyelid.

In a browpexy, your surgeon will gently raise the area above your eyelids and secure your eyebrows with internal sutures to a position slightly above the brow ridge, resulting in a refreshed, alert, and more youthful appearance.

Finally, they’ll close the incisions, and the surgery is done.

Endoscopic Brow/Forehead Lift

An endoscopic brow lift, also called an endoscopic forehead lift, is a procedure that rejuvenates the eyebrow area and forehead. It elevates drooping or sagging eyebrows to a more natural and youthful position and smooths out forehead lines and wrinkles.

The minimally invasive technique entails creating several tiny incisions behind your hairline. Your surgeon will then insert a thin tube with a camera and light, called an endoscope, through one of the incisions.

The camera will give them a clear view of the underlying tissues and muscles, enabling precise manipulation. Using an instrument inserted through another incision, your surgeon will raise the forehead tissues and hold them in position with small screws, stitches, or another technique to achieve the desired lift.

The incisions are finally closed with tiny clips or sutures.

Restore a Rejuvenated, Alert, and More Youthful Appearance

At Eye Physicians of Long Beach, we use various procedures to fix droopy eyelids. Our expert surgeons can determine the most suitable procedure or combination of techniques to address your unique concerns comprehensively.

Do you wish to fix your droopy eyelids? Schedule your appointment at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA, today to find out which procedure can help you achieve your goals.