Eyelid Problem, How to Know if I Have Too Much Eyelid Skin?

You need to post a picture to get adequate advice here, or go see a plastic surgeon in your area.

 

Best of luck,

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C)

Upper blepharoplasty surgery can be done when there is excess skin on the upper eyelid.  A particularly good candidate for surgery is someone who has enough extra skin on the upper eyelid that causes a “hooded effect.”  In this case, it would be difficult to see the upper eyelids when the patient has their eyes open.  A dropping eyelid could obstruct peripheral vision and therefore be covered by insurance in some cases.  Lesser amounts of hooding will likely not be covered with insurance, but can still be a cosmetic concern.     

 

The issue with excess eyelid skin is when the upper lid tissue start to drape over your eye and hanging over the lashes margin. What happens then you subconsciously try to keep your eyes open by using your forehead muscles to raise your eyebrow to try to keep the eyes open. Sometimes you may not know this because you are constantly trying to keep the eyes open by using your forehead muscle to raise the brow, this can then cause you to have headaches or eye fatiques.

Try this: look in the mirror, be in a relaxed posed position, close your eyes, let your face muscle relaxed. Next, gently raise your eyes without trying to raise your eyebrow. Now, you should be able to see where your eyelid skin is located. If it is hanging over the lashes then you more likely than not have too much excess lid skin. If you are able to see your upper lashes or upper skin, then you do not have excess tissues.

There are other factors that has to be taken into consideration.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Kim Chi Vu

In order to tell whether you have too much eyelid skin or not, the surgeon needs to place your brow into position and then see if there is excess eyelid skin or not.  If there is extra skin it may be because of the brow mainly, because of the eyelids mainly, or a combination of the two.  These possibilities will help to decide the appropriate procedure for you.