Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is the medical procedure that treats dermatochalasis. Dermatochalasis is a medical condition in which there is excess skin in the upper and lower eyelid.

What causes Dermatochalasis?

As you age, the muscles supporting your eyelids weaken, making your eyelid more elastic and causing droopy eyelids.

What are the symptoms of Dermatochalasis?

Symptoms include constantly raising your eyebrows in order to be able to see and a loss in peripheral vision, specifically in the upper and outer regions.

How is Dermatochalasis detected?

Dermatochalasis can be detected and confirmed at your eye doctor’s office with a visual field testing.
Treatment

How is dermatochalasis treated?

A procedure called a blepharoplasty can be performed to remove the excess skin, muscle, and fat on droopy eyelids.

Why is a Blepharoplasty performed?

A blepharoplasty is performed when an ophthalmologist determines that it would improve your vision.

Who is a good candidate for surgery?

A good candidate for a blepharoplasty would be someone who complains of excess skin on their eyelids obstructing their vision.

What are the risks of Blepharoplasty surgery?

Risks include include infection, bleeding, dry eyes, difficulty closing your eyes, scarring, injury to eye muscles, discoloration of skin, temporarily blurred vision, the need for a follow-up surgery, and the risks associated with surgery in general which includes reaction to anesthesia, blood clots, and cardiac and pulmonary complications.

What happens before surgery?

You will need to go for a consult with an ophthalmologist so he/she can document the dermatochalasis. You might also be asked to perform a visual field test with untaped eyelids and taped eyelids, which shows that your vision would be improved with the surgery. In addition, photodocumentation of your eyelids may be taken.

What happens during surgery?

The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. You will be given local anesthetic. The surgeon will remove the excess skin, muscle, and fat causing the droopy eyelids. Depending on the size of the eye, there may be five to ten stitches put in each eyelid.

What happens after surgery?

You will need to come for a follow-up appointment one week after the surgery so that the stitches in each eyelid can be taken out.

Can problems develop after surgery?

There are associated risks to the surgery that may develop after the surgery, which include infection, dry eyes, difficulty closing your eyes, scarring, and discoloration of skin.