Medically Needed Upper Eyelid Surgery? - Shreveport, LA

I had a similar situation, but was referred by an optometrist. The field vision test was very short and simple; it involved looking at lighted dots that appeared on a screen and clicking a clicker when I saw them. On the second round the nurse taped up my eyelids which was a little uncomfortable, but the whole thing was short and essentially not a problem at all. Medicare and Aetna agreed that the surgery was needed. I had not noticed a peripheral vision problem but I knew I had one droopy eyelid. I did not know there was such a thing as an Ocular Plastic Surgeon. I wish I had. I would have gone out of my way to go to that specialist. The "regular" plastic surgeon I chose had been successful with 2 people I knew. I found him arrogant, even rude, but went ahead; I regret it. Now, 16 days after surgery my left eye remains very irritated, scratchy, watery, swollen. I saw my Opthomologist who said it is swollen inside and out but not damaged permanently. He recommended lots and lots of "tear" drops. I also still am very bruised on both sides of my face and my left eyelid is extremely swollen. The healing has taken longer and been much much more uncomfortable than I anticipated.

An ophthalmic plastic, oculofacial, or oculoplastic surgeon is generally an ophthalmologist who has completed an additional two years of fellowship training in eyelid and periorbital plastic surgery. Patients who present with "droopy" eyelids often have an excess upper lid skin fold that falls over the lashes and interferes with superior vision. Some patients can also have eyelid ptosis in which the eyelid itself is lower than normal and interferes with vision. In these cases the muscles that elevate the lid must be gently tightened. Excess skin may also need to be excised at the same time (blepharoplasty). I always counsel patients that revisions may be necessary if the height or contour of the eyelid is not acceptable once it heals (in as much as 5% of cases). If the degree of superior vision obstruction meets certain criteria the surgery may be covered by insurance or Medicare. The surgeon will record the patient's functional complaints, take multiple photographs with the brows and forehead completely relaxed, and perform visual fields when required by your insurance carrier. Visual field tests performed to test ptosis are quick and painless. Patients often notice that their eyelids seem to be more droopy when they first wake up or towards the end of the day. This is usually because there is reliance on the forehead to lift the brows and eyelids. As the forehead begins to tire the lids will fall. After surgery patients often feel more relaxed and the brows look more natural.