Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery can be medical or cosmetic, depending on your vision needs and personal wishes. At Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge, skilled surgeon Brian Herschorn, MD, expertly performs eyelid surgery to address your individual needs. Call the office in Bay Ridge or Sheepshead Bay neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, or request an appointment online today to learn more about your eyelid surgery options. 

What is eyelid surgery?

Oculoplastic surgery, also called eyelid surgery, is a group of procedures that corrects problems with the upper and lower eyelids. 

The upper eyelids include the skin above your upper lashes, and the lower eyelids encompass the skin below your lower lash line, down to the start of your cheeks.

The upper and lower eyelids can lose elasticity and sag, leading to vision and eye health issues or cosmetic distress.

When might I need eyelid surgery?

Some of the conditions that might require eyelid surgery include:  

• Ptosis, laxity, and sagging of the upper eyelids
• Dermatochalasis, extra eyelid skin, causing bagging in the upper or lower lids
• Entropion, inward-turning eyelid, causing lashes to irritate the eye
• Ectropion, outward-turning eyelid, causing dry eye 
• Tumor, benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) growths on the upper or lower lid

Blocked tear ducts might require tear duct surgery in the same general area as eyelid surgery. 

What are the types of eyelid surgery?

Eyelid surgery takes several forms, including: 

Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty removes and repositions skin and fat in the upper or lower eyelids.

Ptosis repair
Ptosis repair lifts the upper lids, removes extra skin and fat, and reinforces the eyelid muscles in the upper lids. 

Ectropion repair
Ectropion repair rotates your eyelid to restore its position and tightens it to keep it in place.

Entropion repair
Entropion repair involves repositioning your eyelid and may include some skin removal or skin grafting to achieve ideal eyelid anatomy.

Tumor removal
Tumor removal is unique to the situation but generally involves complete tumor removal. You may need tiny stitches to close the wound.

Dacryocystorhinostomy is another procedure performed in the same general area as eyelid surgery but isn’t itself eyelid surgery. This procedure opens up clogged tear ducts and helps improve tear drainage.

Eyelid surgery - is it elective or medically necessary?

Some eyelid surgeries are medically necessary, which means insurance generally covers them. 

You may qualify for medically-necessary eyelid surgery, like blepharoplasty or ptosis repair, if sagging skin is severe enough to disrupt your visual field. Tumor removal is generally considered medically necessary. 

If you mainly want eyelid surgery to improve your appearance, it’s considered cosmetic eyelid surgery, and medical insurers don’t cover it. 

Book your consultation online or call Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge to learn more about eyelid surgery today.

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