Oculoplastic surgery can smooth wrinkles, fill hollow areas, and rejuvenate your ocular function and appearance. Look as youthful and healthy as you feel, without changing you.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, whether medical or cosmetic, upper or lower
is the plastic surgery operation for correcting defects, deformities, and disfigurations of the eyelids; and for aesthetically modifying the eye area commonly referred to as an “eye lift” or “lid lift”. With the excision and the removal, or the repositioning (or both) of excess tissues, such as skin and fat, and the reinforcement of the muscle and tendon tissues, the blepharoplasty procedure resolves functional and cosmetic problems of the area from the eyebrow to the upper portion of the cheek.
Ptosis Repair
Overhanging skin is not the only visual impairment that can happen with eye lids. Ptosis occurs when the upper eyelid droops over the eye. The eyelid may droop just slightly, or so much that it covers the pupil, causing it limit or even completely block normal vision. Both children and adults can have ptosis, but fortunately, this condition can be treated to improve vision as well as appearance.
There are several reasons that ptosis can occur. Some children are born with ptosis, others develop it over time due to muscle palsy, stretching or separating of levator muscle over time, injury or other medical or neurological conditions affecting muscles and nerves in the body.
Brow Lift
A brow lift, also commonly called a forehead lift, repositions the facial tissue and muscles above the eyes to restore visual fuction and aesthetic appearance. By removing excess sagging, skin on the forehead and repositioning the underlying muscles and tissues, a brow lift can correct a heavy, sagging brow, eliminate deep furrows. Sagging of the forehead and eyebrow tissue can compound issues like ptosis and increase the need for blepharoplasty.
The problem with an aging forehead is the effect it has on our facial expressions and visual function—a sagging, heavily furrowed brow can cause us to look constantly tired, worried or even angry as well as cause blockage of your field of vision. Some people are also genetically inclined to have a heavier, thicker brow, making them look as though they are sleepy or angry. A brow lift directly addresses these issues, helping patients enjoy a more naturally refreshed appearance as increases their field of vision.
Medical vs. Cosmetic
One of the most common questions we encounter is “Will insurance cover my procedure?” The answer is maybe. An upper blepharoplasty, brow lift or ptosis repair is often covered if:
- The excess skin causes the patient a problem.
- The skin hangs over the eyelid and interferes with vision.
- Photographs show the excess skin is present.
Most insurers require (and will pay for) patients to undergo the tests needed to answer these questions. We are required to submit all this data to the insurer. The insurer makes the determination if the procedure will be covered or if it is cosmetic. How the insurer decides this varies from one company to the next. In general they look at:
- The medical record to show there is a documented problem
- The visual field tests for a significant obstruction which resolves when the excess skin is taped out of the way
- The photographs to determine if the excess skin corresponds with the visual fields and patient complaints
If the records show these 3 things, most insurers will approve the surgery.
Contact Eye Physicians of Northampton today
