Eyelid Surgery

Heredity, age, diet, gravity, and pollutants can cause skin surrounding our eyes to relax and loosen.  When this happens, our eyes seem to portray a sad, tired or angry appearance.  Fortunately, there is an effective surgical procedure that removes excess eyelid skin and refreshes your appearance.  Blepharoplasty is a safe and effective eyelid surgery performed as an out-patient procedure in our state-of-the-art surgery center by John W. Snead M.D., F.A.C.S., our founder and medical director.

Gravity forces objects toward the earth, and as we age, it becomes more difficult to combat its effects.  This holds true with many of our body parts, but one of the most noticeable is the drooping eyebrows or eyelids.  Excess skin around your eyes can obscure your field of vision.

An evaluation by one of our staff is recommended if you notice any obstruction of your vision or any of the other symptoms described in this brochure.

Another common eyelid problem is ptosis, pronounced "toe sis", which also causes your eyelids to droop.  Ptosis occurs when the muscle that allows you to blink stretches or becomes unattached.  Although ptosis can occur in both eyes, it often happens to only one eye causing your eyelids to be uneven.

Dr. Snead uses precise skill and the latest technology to perform ptosis surgery.  As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Snead is uniquely trained to be sure proper blinking reflexes remain after surgery.

If your friends often tell you that you look tired, chances are you have fat pockets accumulation under your eyes.  Dr. Snead performs a precise surgical procedure from the inside of the lower eyelid.  This prevents scarring on the on the outside of the eye and dramatically improves your appearance.  Generally laser resurfacing is preferred after the fat removal to further enhance the texture of your skin.  The result is a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.

Patients with droopy eyelids or eyebrows often experience headaches from involuntarily raising eyebrows by using their forehead muscles to allow additional light to enter their eyes.  In fact, vision is often so obscured that patients are forced to lift their lids or brows with their fingers in order to read or watch television.

One of the most amazing benefits of eyelid surgery is the quick recovery time.  Since the surgery is performed as an out-patient procedure, you can relax at home the evening of your surgery.  You will be seen the next day in the office for bandage removal and a progress check.  Usually patients experience little or no pain, however, if necessary, pain medication will be prescribed.  You will notice a remarkable difference in your vision and appearance in about one week with continual improvement over the next several weeks.  Post operative care and instructions will be thoroughly explained and a member of our staff is on-call 24 hours a day in case you have immediate questions or concerns about your surgery.

Upper eyelid surgery is covered by Medicare and in some cases is covered by private insurance.  It is important to undergo specific testing to be sure that your condition warrants insurance coverage.  A visual field test will be performed to determine your peripheral vision before surgery.  Then, your eyelids will be taped up to simulate eye surgery and you will be retested.  If the difference between the two test is significant, your insurance will most likely cover surgery.

Lower eyelid surgery usually is not covered by insurance because it is considered strictly a cosmetic procedure.  However, prices are reduced when you have a combination of procedures such as upper lid surgery, lower lid surgery, and lower lid resurfacing.

Please click the following link for pre and post operative instructions for eyelid surgery.