For many of our patients in Chicago, laser eye surgery can be performed to correct impaired vision. However, for some of our patients, the cause of impaired vision is not a defect on the cornea, but rather, an excess of loose skin on the upper eyelid. As people age, this skin can begin to droop down and actually cover a portion of the eye. Not only does this have a cosmetic effect, making the eyes appear smaller and giving patients a constantly tired appearance; but it can also begin to affect a person’s peripheral vision. As the skin obstructs the eye, patients can begin to have trouble with up-close tasks such as reading, or they may have trouble making out objects at a far distance. The impairment caused by the skin on the eyelid is known as dermatochalasis or ptosis.
Blepharoplasty
Fortunately for our patients in Chicago, our eye surgeons can perform eyelid surgery to correct this problem. The surgery is known as blepharoplasty, and through this procedure, our eye surgeons can remove the excess, loose skin from the upper eyelid to give our patients back clear, unobstructed vision. This is actually a quick and safe surgery that gives our patients dramatic results. Not only will a patient’s vision be improved, but they will also receive aesthetic benefits. The area surrounding the eyes will look younger and more refreshed once the extra skin has been removed.
Cost
The cost of eyelid surgery will vary for each patient. On average, eyelid surgery will cost around $4,000. Our eye surgeons can give a more accurate cost estimate at your consultation appointment. One important thing to consider is that this surgery is not just a cosmetic procedure. If you are having blepharoplasty surgery in order to correct vision problems, our eye surgeons will conduct eye exams and perform tests to determine the extent of vision impairment that has resulted from loose, excess skin on the eyelid, and if there are other eye conditions causing vision problems. All of our findings will be properly documented. If there is significant vision impairment, it is very likely that the cost of surgery will be covered by your insurance carrier.
Risks
All of our eye surgeons are highly experienced. Under their skilled hands, it is very unlikely that you will experience any complications following your blepharoplasty surgery. However, it is always important to understand the risks of surgery. The most common risks of blepharoplasty surgery include infection, allergic reaction to anesthesia, an asymmetrical appearance of the eyes, or significant scarring.
Alternate Treatment
If you are looking for a purely cosmetic procedure, we do offer our patients in Chicago BOTOX® treatments. BOTOX® Cosmetic is an FDA-approved product that is injected beneath the surface of the skin to eliminate wrinkles and frown lines. Each treatment should last for aboutthree months. Ifyou respond wellto BOTOX® treatment, and do not experience any unusual side effects, treatment can be repeated as necessary.
Schedule an Appointment
Here at Chicago Cornea Consultants™, we strive to make our patients happy. Whether that requires performing corrective eye surgery or offering cosmetic treatment to enhance a patient’s appearance, we want to help. Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced eye surgeons to learn more about the treatments we offer.
