Drooping upper eyelids may be a cosmetic concern, but sometimes excess eyelid skin can interfere with how well you see. When sagging tissue begins obstructing your field of vision or making everyday activities more difficult, blepharoplasty may be considered medically necessary rather than purely cosmetic.
At Vista Eye Specialists in Fredericksburg and Culpeper, VA, board-certified ophthalmologist and cornea specialist Binoy R. Jani, MD, provides highly personalized eye care, including blepharoplasty. Dr. Jani has been recognized as a Top Doctors Winner in Ophthalmology, Laser Vision Correction, and Cataract Surgery for several consecutive years and can evaluate how your eyelids are affecting both your vision and eye health.
When Drooping Eyelids Interfere with Your Vision
The skin and tissues around your eyes naturally change with age. Your upper eyelid skin may gradually become loose enough to hang over the eyelid crease and, in more significant cases, obstruct part of your peripheral or upper visual field.
You might notice that reading has become more difficult, you have trouble seeing objects above you, or you instinctively raise your eyebrows to see more clearly. Some people also tilt their head backward to compensate for an obstructed visual field.
These functional problems can make blepharoplasty more than an aesthetic procedure.
How Is Medical Necessity Determined?
Your eye doctor needs to determine whether excess eyelid skin is actually interfering with your vision. This generally begins with an eye and eyelid examination. Your doctor may evaluate the position of your eyelids, the amount of excess skin present, and how the eyelids affect your field of vision.
Visual field testing may be performed to document whether drooping tissue is blocking part of your sight. Photographs and other measurements may also be needed, particularly when documentation is being submitted to an insurance company.
Medical necessity and insurance coverage are not necessarily the same thing. Coverage requirements vary among insurance providers and individual plans, so you should verify your specific benefits.
Find Out If Your Drooping Eyelids Are Affecting Your Sight
You don’t have to assume heavy or drooping eyelids are simply something you need to accept with age. A thorough evaluation can determine whether excess eyelid tissue is affecting your vision and whether blepharoplasty may be appropriate.
At Vista Eye Specialists, Dr. Jani combines extensive ophthalmic and surgical experience with highly personalized eye care for patients in Fredericksburg and Culpeper, VA. To have your eyelids and vision evaluated, call 540-208-5827 to schedule an appointment today.