FAQs

Eyelid surgery, technically known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the lower and upper eyelids. The procedure can provide the eye area with a more youthful and pleasing appearance. Eyelid surgery may also be performed to improve the vision for patients who have excess drooping skin of the upper eyelids that is interfering with vision.

During blepharoplasty, incisions are made within the natural creases of the eyelids or on the inside of the eyelids. The surgeon removes some of the herniated fat and excess skin and then closes the incision with very fine sutures.

The scars that result from eyelid surgery tend to be well concealed. The incisions are typically placed within the normal creases and folds of the eyelids.

The wrinkles around the eye and sagging eyebrows cannot be treated with eyelid surgery and are better treated with other procedures, such as a brow lift.

Insurance coverage is not available when eyelid surgery is performed solely for cosmetic purposes. Procedures may be covered to some degree when used to treat excess skin of the upper eyelids that is causing visual impairment.

Bruising and swelling after eyelid surgery can be noticeable for at least seven to ten days. Patients often find that they can return to work within a few days after their procedure.

Bruising and swelling can take between seven and ten days to fade enough for you to feel comfortable in public. Though patients can return to work within a few days, more rigorous activities should be avoided for at least a week.

Stitches are typically removed within seven to ten days after eyelid surgery.

A cataract is a clouding, or haziness of the lens of the eye. The lens helps focus light on the retina, the area at the back of the eye where images are formed. When the lens becomes cloudy, these images are less clear.

Symptoms can include:

• Glare or halos around objects
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Trouble seeing well at night
• Blurry vision
• Double vision

Cataract surgery is done at a surgery center. You go home the same day. Your will be given numbing drops and a light sedative to keep you relaxed and comfortable. A cataract is removed through a tiny incision at the side of your eye. An artificial lens (called an “intraocular lens” or IOL) is placed in your eye.

Your vision after cataract surgery depends on:

• Whether you have other eye conditions that affect your vision
• What type of intraocular lens you chose
• How quickly your eyes heal
• After cataract surgery, many people see better almost immediately

That depends on the type of IOL you choose. If your IOL gives good vision far away, you may need reading glasses to see close up. If your IOL gives good close vision, you may need glasses to see at a distance. Patients with astigmatism may need glasses if they don’t get an IOL that corrects it.

A group of diseases characterized by particular pattern of optic nerve damage and visual field loss. It is the major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and it affects more than 2.5 million people in the United States.

The symptoms of glaucoma can be different for each form.  However, in most cases, patients have no symptoms until significant optic nerve damage has occurred.

• Vision loss
• Gradual loss of peripheral vision

• Decreased vision
• Cloudy vision
• Sudden, severe pain, usually in one eye
• Eye feels swollen
• Red eyes
• Halos around lights
• Nausea and vomiting

• Check vision and eye pressure (high eye pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma)
• Look for signs of optic nerve damage
• Test for visual field loss

• Medications
• Laser
• Surgery