Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure can correct drooping upper lids that tend to sag with time and the puffy bags below the eyes. The procedure usually takes about 1 hour and can be performed in the office using local anesthesia. Stitches can be removed after one week. Blepharoplasty can be done as a single procedure, or in conjunction with other facial surgery such as a brow lift.

Blepharoplasty surgery, in addition to improving appearance, also can make it easier to open the eyes, and improve the upper portion of the side vision, thereby improving ocular fatigue. It oftentimes is done for reasons other than cosmetic.

In those cases, blepharoplasty can be a service covered by Medicare and sometimes other insurances. In order to check whether the surgery would be covered by insurance, documentation of side vision loss is done and, along with photographs of the condition, the insurance company is then sent a letter and prior approval is obtained. In many cases, we can proceed with the surgery without prior approval.