Heavy hooded eyelids - Am I a candidate for Eyelid Surgery? (photos)

Question

Hi, I have hooded eyelids with one heavier than the other. I am 32 years old but I can see it getting worse with age. My entire family had hooded eyelids and with age they’ve gotten horrible. Not sure if I am a candidate but I am really interested. Thank you.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Your upper eyelid fold is a very important feature of your youthful beauty. What you need is a very thoughtful upper blepharoplasty that preserves your upper eyelid fold but exposed a small strip of the upper eyelid platform that is the same on each side. The right upper eyelid has mild ptosis which means the eyelid is heavy. This also can be fixed with ptosis surgery. Although your right eye seems to be the heavier of the two eyes, there is a left compensatory eyebrow elevation. That suggests that there may be some compensated ptosis in the left upper eyelid. That needs to be investigated at the time of your consultation. It is likely that the left upper eyelid tendon that opens the eye also needs to be strengthened. The results will be brighter, jewel like eyes that add drama to your appearance. Your eyes can be your best feature.

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes, you are correct. You have bilateral hooding of your eyes, which makes you a an excellent candidate for an endoscopic brow lift. This will uncover your eyelids, open your eyes, and soften the wrinkles of your central brown when you smile.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. Based on your photo and your family history, you may be a candidate for upper blepharoplasty. If you are bothered by your hooded upper eyelids, upper blepharoplasty or an upper eye lift is a surgical procedure used to correct drooping or heavy upper eyelids. The result is a more open eye and a refreshed appearance. But to best determine your eligibility for the procedure, I highly recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will do a thorough examination, recommend the best surgical approach, and ensure the best possible results.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your questions and pictures!  To answer your question, you would be a candidate for an upper blepharoplasty.  Horizontal eyelid wrinkles and sagginess can be corrected with blepharoplasty or cosmetic eyelid surgery. It is one of the first cosmetic surgeries people usually get. While the average age might be 30 to 50's, some patients get this done in their 20s. It really depends on your unique anatomy as well as what exactly is bothering you.

Botox injections as well as laser treatments can also be a tremendous benefit if you are not interested in surgery. Of course, there are also many combinations.

A mini facelift or midface lift is another great option for many people to correct malar bags and other signs of aging around the eyelids. The recovery & downtime is very minimal. There are usually no drains, most people can go out the same day, you can shower the next day, there are no scars behind the ears and you can wear your hair up anytime and most patients take no pain medicine. There are never any guarantees of course with any procedure whether it is surgical or nonsurgical in nature.

I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of eyelid lifts but also offers all the nonsurgical options such as injectables and laser treatments. Go over your concerns with them and make sure above all, you walk out of there with several options and an idea of the pros and cons to each of them as well as realistic expectations.

Marc Polacco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on your photo you're likely a great candidate. In upper blepharoplasty, excess skin is removed from the eyelid, and the incision hides nicely in a natural eyelid crease we all have. I hope that helps, and all the best to you.
-Dr. P

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and posting your photo. It appears the you could use a conservative blepharoplasty. Make an appointment with an experienced oculofacial surgeon for in depth evaluation and proper guidance. Good luck!

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Yes you are likely candidate for upper blepharoplasty. It is important to have natural safe results. See an expert.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

It does not appear that you are candidate for upper blepharoplasty, yet. However, it can be determined only on the basis of in person consultation and discussion about your goals. Good luck.

Todd C. Rau, MD · Answer

With the photo supplied showing the excess upper eyelid skin and with your family history, I would recommend getting an eyelid surgery performed. The times I have worked on younger patients, they tended to have hereditary history of excess eyelid skin involving the family. The process can be done under local anesthesia in the office environment and your surgeon must preserve the epicanthal folds. In addition, some excess upper eyelid fatty tissue would also be addressed. The suture may be removed in 5-7 days.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From the photo submitted it appears you would be a candidate for upper blepharoplasty.  This procedure would remove excess skin from the upper lid to give your eyes a fresher, less heavy appearance.  See a board certified plastic surgeon near you for a consultation.