Blepharoplasty — upper and/or lower eyelid surgery — consistently produces among the most striking improvements relative to the recovery involved. A procedure performed under local anesthesia with a 7–10 day recovery can take years off the appearance of the eyes, improving the rested, open look that most patients seek.
Upper vs. Lower Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery removes excess skin that has descended to or over the lash line, sometimes impairing vision and consistently creating a heavy, tired appearance. The incision is placed within the natural upper eyelid crease — essentially invisible once healed.
Lower eyelid surgery addresses the bags and hollows below the eye. The most common approach for patients with fatty bags but minimal excess skin is the transconjunctival approach — an internal incision with no external scar — through which fat is removed or redistributed into the adjacent hollowing.
Can Insurance Cover Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Possibly, yes. If excess upper eyelid skin impairs your superior visual field — confirmed through visual field testing performed in our office — insurance may cover the procedure as functional, not cosmetic. Dr. Fern's team can help assess and document this at consultation.
The Most Common Concern
Patients most frequently ask: will I look operated? The answer, with a surgeon experienced in conservative technique, is no. The goal of blepharoplasty is to look rested — not like you had surgery. The distinction between a natural result and an overdone one comes down to respecting the anatomy: removing only what needs to be removed, and preserving the tissue that gives the eye its natural contour.
Dr. Fern performs blepharoplasty at both the Greenwich, CT and Manhattan, NY offices. Contact us to schedule a consultation.