As we age, our skin becomes less elastic and begins to sag and wrinkle. You might think that this is only an aesthetic issue, but it can also cause impaired vision. There can be two different causes requiring eyelid surgery.
One is Dermatochalasis which is an eye condition caused by excessive skin around your upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. The orbital septum (the membrane that holds the normal fat that cushions the eye back) loosens allowing the fat to come forward making the eyelid look heavy and bulky. This problem can range from a mild sagging of the skin around the eyes, to severe drooping which may cover the pupil obstructing vision. If you suffer from severe droopy eyelids you may find your-self tilting your head back, or raising your eyebrows frequently in order to see. It’s also common to feel tiredness and aching around the eyes, especially later in the day. Age and heredity are the main causes. However smoking, sun exposure, poor nutrition, seasonal allergies and manipulation of the eyelids during makeup removal or excessive stretching during contact lens insertion and removal can also contribute to the problem. Dermatochalasis is repaired with Blepharoplasty surgery which removes excess skin and fatty tissue around the eyes creating an eyelid lift.
Another eye condition is Ptosis where the lid itself is actually lower than it should be. The Levator muscle (the muscle that lifts the eyelid) gets weak so the lid itself droops down and may interfere with your vision. There are many causes of ptosis including age-related weakening of the muscle (the most common cause), con-genital weakness, trauma, or neurological disease. Children may be born with ptosis or acquire it due to trauma or neurological reasons. Not to be confused with the removal of excess skin and fatty tissue as with Blepharoplasty, Ptosis is repaired by adjusting the position of one of the two muscles which elevate the eyelid.
I would be happy to schedule your FREE consultation to see if your medical insurance will help cover the cost. Give me a call at 770-979-2020 x224 so we can get you started on the road to better vision and a more youthful appearance.
If your vision is bothersome contact CarlinVision at 770.979.2020 or visit CarlinVision.com. Our Board-Certified Ophthalmologists can determine the reason you are not seeing as clearly as you should. If you have a cataract, we will teach you about the condition and all your treatment options.
Carlin Vision is located at 2377 Lenora Church Rd, Snellville, GA 30078
