As we get older, one of the first places we see the signs of age is around our eyes. The muscles weaken, fat pockets grow and the skin sags. The droopy eyes make us look tired and older than our years. If the problem becomes severe enough it can interfere with our peripheral vision.

Cosmetic Benefits

The most common reason people ask us about eyelid tucks is to improve their appearance. Our eyes are the first thing people notice about us and sagging eyelids are one of the most dramatic cosmetic signs of aging.

An eyelid tuck removes excess fat and skin, restoring a youthful look to the patient's eyelids. The small incisions are made in the natural fold of the eyelids and are nearly invisible after healing. In some cases, there is also extra fat in the forehead contributing to the problem and in that case a cosmetic surgeon would recommend a forehead lift as well.

Improving Peripheral Vision

Although most people think of the cosmetic improvements, there is another reason people ask about an eyelid tuck from their Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon. CA residents who are having trouble with their peripheral vision may be having their vision blocked by the drooping skin. Lack of peripheral vision is a serious problem, for example leading to accidents when a driver isn't aware of traffic coming from the side.

If the peripheral vision problem is severe, it becomes a medical condition and your insurance may pay for the procedure. Most companies will pay for at least a partial eyelid tuck although they draw the line between functional and cosmetic improvements. Vision must be significantly restricted and insurance policies typically require a visual field test to determine the extent of the vision loss.

What To Expect From The Surgery

The surgery itself is one of the simpler procedures a cosmetic surgeon can perform. The entire procedure lasts only about an hour and the patient goes home the same day. It is performed under local anesthesia so patients will be unable to drive themselves home, but overall it takes very little out of a patient's day.

Recovery is quick and patients can go back to work in about a week. There will be a small amount of discomfort during healing, but over the counter pain relievers should handle that. The most dramatic side effect of an eyelid tuck is bruising which can last two to three weeks, but can be masked with makeup. Very faint scars will be nearly invisible to observers.