Jeanf2, what a great question. You definitely do not have to have the lower lids done if only the upper lids are causing your problem. A good oculoplastic surgeon will analyze not only how your eyelids look, but how the sagging may affect your visual fields, how loose your eyelid margins might be and whether they need to also be tightened to prevent dry eye. If there is any functional problem, insurance may help cover part of your surgery. If it’s a matter mostly of appearance, the surgeon must make sure she or he does not remove too MUCH eyelid skin, which can cause a later problem with proper lid closure and eye dryness. The upper and lower eyelids should be analyzed separately: only the lids with a problem need surgery.
If the upper eyelids are sagging and not the lower lids, or the upper lids are what is bothering you cosmetically, you can definitely have the upper removed without the lower. There is no reason this canât be done. The only reason it wouldnât be good is if the result on the upper lid is so great that the lower lid become more apparent. But many times people have more laxity on the upper lids or vice versa.
If the upper eyelids are sagging and not the lower lids, or the upper lids are what is bothering you cosmetically, you can definitely have the upper removed without the lower. There is no reason this canât be done. The only reason it wouldnât be good is if the result on the upper lid is so great that the lower lid become more apparent. But many times people have more laxity on the upper lids or vice versa.
Not to be annoying, but the answer to most medical questions is: “IT DEPENDS”.
Many patients have eyelid problems that are isolated only to the upper lid, and others only to the lower lids.
Depending on how much sagging, there are some non-surgical options that will avoid surgery altogether. I often put some Botox or Dyport to allow the brow to be elevated and then put some Restylane or Juvederm in the brow.
Not necessarily. Most of my patients just have their uppers done. It’s best to ask your surgeon when you see him/her what they think is best for your specific eyelid issues.
0 Answers
Jessica Krant, M.D. (Derm) wrote on :
Jeanf2, what a great question. You definitely do not have to have the lower lids done if only the upper lids are causing your problem. A good oculoplastic surgeon will analyze not only how your eyelids look, but how the sagging may affect your visual fields, how loose your eyelid margins might be and whether they need to also be tightened to prevent dry eye. If there is any functional problem, insurance may help cover part of your surgery. If it’s a matter mostly of appearance, the surgeon must make sure she or he does not remove too MUCH eyelid skin, which can cause a later problem with proper lid closure and eye dryness. The upper and lower eyelids should be analyzed separately: only the lids with a problem need surgery.
Amy Forman Taub MD wrote on :
If the upper eyelids are sagging and not the lower lids, or the upper lids are what is bothering you cosmetically, you can definitely have the upper removed without the lower. There is no reason this canât be done. The only reason it wouldnât be good is if the result on the upper lid is so great that the lower lid become more apparent. But many times people have more laxity on the upper lids or vice versa.
Amy Forman Taub MD wrote on :
If the upper eyelids are sagging and not the lower lids, or the upper lids are what is bothering you cosmetically, you can definitely have the upper removed without the lower. There is no reason this canât be done. The only reason it wouldnât be good is if the result on the upper lid is so great that the lower lid become more apparent. But many times people have more laxity on the upper lids or vice versa.
drjosie wrote on :
Not to be annoying, but the answer to most medical questions is: “IT DEPENDS”.
Many patients have eyelid problems that are isolated only to the upper lid, and others only to the lower lids.
Depending on how much sagging, there are some non-surgical options that will avoid surgery altogether. I often put some Botox or Dyport to allow the brow to be elevated and then put some Restylane or Juvederm in the brow.
Gloria Jean Foti wrote on :
I hate to say this but I’d rather not to botox. Thanks anyway.
Cynthia Bailey MD wrote on :
Not necessarily. Most of my patients just have their uppers done. It’s best to ask your surgeon when you see him/her what they think is best for your specific eyelid issues.