Do I Need Eyelid Surgery?
Your eyelids do much more than blink! They play a crucial role in the health of your eyes.
Located both above and below your eyes, this thin layer of skin protects your eyes from injury and debris. It even shields you from bright lights.
Your eyelids also help distribute tears across the surface of your eye, so it stays moist, and you stay comfortable. Unfortunately, your eyelids do not always function as they should.
They can be affected by a variety of conditions, from drooping to the development of tumors. There are many treatments available, but in some cases, oculoplastic surgery is needed to restore the healthy function of your eyelids.
Keep reading to find out whether you may need eyelid surgery!
What Are Some Common Eyelid Conditions?
There is a range of conditions that can affect your eyes, and our eye doctors at Eye Associates of Tallahassee specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of these conditions.
Ptosis
One of the most common eyelid condition is ptosis. Ptosis causes the upper eyelid to droop.
It can affect one or both eyes. One eyelid may droop more than the other, and the severity of the drooping can range.
It can be so mild that the eyelid only droops slightly or severely enough that it partially or fully blocks your vision. The most prevalent form of ptosis is caused by a weakening of the muscles in your eye.
As you age, the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid can lose strength. Muscle weakening can also result from cataract surgery, extended use of contact lenses, injury, and other causes.
Lacrimal Disorders
Your eyelids contain small openings that allow tears to drain out of the eye. Sometimes, a blockage in this drainage system can lead to a lacrimal drainage disorder.
When this occurs, tears are not able to drain from the eye as they should. This results in excessive tearing and even possible infection.
Entropion and Ectropion
Entropion and ectropion are two types of eyelid conditions that occur when the eyelids turn abnormally. With entropion, the eyelids turn inward, causing your lid and lashes to rub up against your eye.
With ectropion, they turn outward, leaving the eye exposed and vulnerable to irritation.
Eyelid Tumors
Although far less common, it is also possible for tumors to grow on your eyelids. Some are benign, while others are malignant.
Excessive sun exposure increases your risk of developing skin cancer, including on the eyelid.
How Can Surgery Treat Certain Eyelid Conditions?
A blepharoplasty is a common eyelid procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the eyelids. It can be performed on the upper and lower eyelids.
An upper lid blepharoplasty is also known as an “eye lift.” It can be intended to improve your facial appearance, the functionality of your eyelids, or both.
Ptosis can also be treated surgically during a procedure called ptosis repair. During ptosis repair surgery, the muscle that is responsible for lifting the lid is re-tightened.
The aim of ptosis repair surgery is to raise the upper eyelid and return normal function so that it no longer droops. There are several surgical options that can treat lacrimal drainage disorder.
For example, the openings that lead to the tear drain can be opened, or a tube can be implanted into the tear duct to aid the drainage of tears. For entropion and ectropion, artificial tears and ointments can sometimes relieve symptoms.
For some people, eyelid surgery may be recommended. For entropion, eyelid surgery can tighten the lid so that it is positioned normally.
For ectropion, surgery can help so that the eyelid no longer turns inwards. When a patient has a benign eyelid tumor, surgery is typically not required.
For others, surgery is needed to remove a cancerous tumor and reconstruct the eyelid.
When Is Eyelid Surgery Necessary?
Eyelid surgery is not always necessary for the treatment of an eyelid condition. In some cases, other non-surgical treatments are sufficient.
Eyelid surgery can be performed for both medical and cosmetic reasons. However, it is typically only recommended if a condition is interfering with your daily life.
For example, if excess skin above your eyes is drooping so much that it obscures your vision, your eye doctor may recommend eyelid surgery to correct this.
If entropion or ectropion is causing discomfort and dryness of the eyes, your eye doctor may recommend surgery to restore the normal function of the eyelids. The only way to know if you need eyelid surgery is to visit your eye doctor at Eye Associates of Tallahassee for an evaluation.
During this evaluation, your eye doctor will be able to thoroughly examine all the structures of your eye, including your eyelids, to determine which, if any, procedure you may need. If you have cosmetic concerns about your eyelids, you can also talk to your eye doctor at Eye Associates of Tallahassee about your goals, and they will be able to determine if you may be a good candidate for the procedure.
