23 Apr Functional Blepharoplasty: Can Your Vision & Confidence Improve With Eyelid Surgery?
What Is A Blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, is a cosmetic procedure that improves the look and function of the eyes. This surgery corrects issues like puffy eyelids, undereye bags, crow’s feet, sagging, and droopy eyelids. A blepharoplasty can also be a medical procedure to fix obstructions that are blocking a patient’s field of vision. Surgeons perform blepharoplasties on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both eyelids.
The cause and effect of ptosis
Ptosis is the medical term for a condition that causes the upper eyelids to droop downwards. When ptosis occurs at birth, doctors call this congenital ptosis. Congenital ptosis is the result of a levator muscle that doesn’t develop properly. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle activates the upper eyelid, allowing the eye to open and close. Acquired ptosis emerges when the eye muscles weaken as an adult grows older. Ptosis can also occur later in life after a person has a stroke, tumor or develops a stye on the eyelid.
Undergoing a visual field test
To diagnose a patient with ptosis, an optometrist or ophthalmologist conducts eye exams like a visual field test. A visual field test, sometimes called a perimetry test, evaluates a patient’s peripheral vision. The visual field is the entire area that a person’s eyes can see. The periphery is the area off to the side that requires eyes to move completely to the left or right side. A visual field test can be an Amsler grid, confrontation visual field test, or kinetic or static perimetry test.
Will insurance cover this procedure?
If doctors can determine that a medical issue is the root cause of visual problems, then a patient may qualify for insurance coverage for a blepharoplasty. In addition to visual field tests, patients can also undergo other types of eye exams like slit lamp examination, ocular motility tests, and tensilon tests. Research shows that untreated cases of ptosis can lead to vision impairments like astigmatism and amblyopia. Patients interested in a blepharoplasty should schedule testing with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to determine if ptosis or another medical condition is the cause of any vision impairments. Patients with ptosis may have difficulty driving, seeing at night, or with peripheral vision.
The process of upper blepharoplasty
During an upper blepharoplasty, doctors create an incision at the eye crease. The levator muscle is located in this area and connects to other muscular tissues. For patients dealing with eye obstructions, doctors will remove excess skin, fat, muscle tissue, and ligaments. Doctors may also correct damaged nerve endings and tighten loose muscles or ligaments. The surgeon can also flip the eyelid over and work on the muscles beneath the lid without making any incisions.
Consulting your medical team
A patient considering a blepharoplasty should reach out to an eye care professional to undergo proper testing. Symptoms of ptosis include crossed eyes, inability to fully close the eyes, double vision, eye fatigue, drooping eyelids, and irritation. If patients notice any of these symptoms, then reach out to a medical professional for a thorough evaluation. A doctor will be able to determine if a blepharoplasty is the right treatment option.