Why Is my eye lid sagging? I'm only 42 (photo)

Question

E. Ronald Finger, MD · Answer

In the vast majority of people the right side of their face is at least a little smaller than the left side. This stems from the actual skull being smaller on the right side. In some people the assymmetry is a little more than in others. In your case your right brow sags more than on the left side, and this may contribute to the excess skin on your right upper lid compared to the left.

The treatment is very simple, requiring an upper lid blepharoplasty, which is simply excising the extra skin in the right upper eyelid to match the left. This can be done under local anesthesia. Sutures are removed in five days, and you may have some bruising, but it should be gone in a week or so. This would be the simplest solution to your problem. I hope this answer has helped you, and best of luck to you.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You are looking down into the camera so it is impossible to know what you look like looking straight ahead.  That is really how we judge.  You look like you have upper eyelid ptosis and excess upper eyelid skin.  Please see a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon in your area.

Mark Been, MD · Answer

Thanks for your post. Believe it or not, sagging skin above the upper eyelids is an issue that commonly affects women in their forties. While an in-office exam is necessary to truly assess what is going on, you definitely have some redundant skin (dermatochalasis) affecting your upper eyelids, with the right worse than the left. Your eyebrows are also somewhat asymmetric. There are a variety of potential treatments including Botox injections and forehead and upper eyelid surgery. I would start by consulting with an experienced facial plastic or oculoplastic surgeon who regularly addresses these issues. Good luck!

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

Thank you for sharing your question and photos. You appear to have ptosis (drooping eyelid) and dermatochalasis (extra skin) of the upper eyelids. Both problems can be corrected by an experienced Oculoplastic Surgeon. Make an appointment for detailed evaluation and guidance.Good luck,

Mitesh Kapadia, MD, PhD · Answer

You have a tendency to pull up one of your eyebrows with your forehead muscles, but not the other. The side with the lower eyebrow has a droopier looking eyelid.Improving the symmetry between your eyes would likely involve using botox to make the eyebrows more symmetric and removing skin from the upper eyelids to reduce the sagging look. A second option would be to just remove some skin from the side with the lower eyebrow.

Why Is my eye lid sagging? I'm only 42 (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Ptosis and Dermatochalasis

Answer: Ptosis and Dermatochalasis

Answer: One eyelid sagging

Answer: One eyelid sagging

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Why Is my eye lid sagging? I'm only 42 (photo)

Answers (9)

Answer: Ptosis and Dermatochalasis

Answer: Ptosis and Dermatochalasis

Answer: One eyelid sagging

Answer: One eyelid sagging

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.