Q&A with Dr. Dean Kane – Drooping Eyelid

Dear Anonymous: Thank you for this question. The answer is a bit complicated and therefore you should seek the advice of a Plastic or Oculoplastic (specialist in eyelid and orbit reconstruction) surgeon. Your question refers to a single eyelid and this could be due to trauma, disease or aging. If you are speaking of both upper eyelids causing visual obstruction to surrounding features or simply to look better; bilateral upper lid lifts (with or without removal of the fat bags) may create a more open and appealing eye. If you are concerned over drooping lower eyelids; this unnatural appearance is from loss of the lower eyelids tone and may contribute to a rounded appearance, irritation along the eyelid, irritability and dryness of the eye and many other problems. Usually, lower eyelid surgery is performed cosmetically for the fat bags which develop under the eyes and / or for the overlying loose or crepey skin. I find in my practice about 50% of patients show concern about the upper eyelid excess particularly along the outer sides of the orbit. This is called hooding and may also obstruct vision but is attributed to “drooping” of the brow and forehead. Following the evaluation and correct diagnosis of your problem, your desires can be addressed with cosmetic and / or reconstructive surgical and sometimes non-surgical ( for example, botox or filler) options.   I trust this was helpful. Thanks again for this question. I wish you the best! Sincerely, Dean Kane, MD, FACS IMPORTANT CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This electronically transmitted message from the medical practice of Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS, PA may contain private health information.  Such information may not be encrypted and therefore available for others to see. Such information may also be privileged, confidential, and protected from disclosure under applicable law.  Please use discretion in using this type of information transmission.  If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient or the responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error and delete the message, or notify us immediately by calling us at 410.602.3322. Thank you.