I was asked this week what age the right age is to do a an upper lid blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery). If your upper eyelids appear significantly different than when you were in your teens or 20s, and if you desire more “skin show” above your eyelashes, then a conservative upper blepharoplasty may be appropriate. In planning surgery, it would be helpful to see pictures of your eyes from when you were in your teenage years to get a sense of your genetic baseline with attention to the height of your natural upper eyelid fold. Most patients want a post surgical appearance that is more rested, and in harmony with their natural, youthful baseline. In addition, if your eyebrow position is normal and youthful, it can be maintained with regular Botox treatments. If your upper lids are drooping to the point where they are blocking your peripheral vision, you may qualify for your surgery to be covered by insurance since it is a “functional impairment”. Give our office a call and we can tell you what steps would be necessary to determine if insurance coverage is an option for you.
Victor A. Schingo, Jr., MD