Eyelid surgery can give a patient a totally renewed facial appearance. Its effectiveness and elegance have contributed to its growing popularity as both an aesthetic and medical procedure. As the procedure becomes more widespread, many prospective patients wonder whether they qualify for this procedure in the first place. The good news is that most patients who are interested in the surgery do qualify, and if not, we have tips that will surely help you. If you would like to undergo the procedure, continue reading to learn how to qualify for eyelid surgery.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery aims to modify the appearance of the eyelids for either medical or aesthetic purposes. Most individuals who are interested in receiving this procedure will qualify for it without much effort. Still, there are conditions that you should be aware of.
How to Qualify for Eyelid Surgery
To receive medical approval for eyelid surgery, you will need to undergo a brief medical examination by your physician. Some of the qualities or conditions that a doctor will look for when they are determining your eligibility include:
- Non-smoker
- A generally high level of health
- Realistic and healthy expectations regarding the procedure
- Having excess or sagging eyelid skin surrounding the eyes
- Having fat deposits or puffiness surrounding the eyes
The last two conditions are simply qualities of the eyes that an eyelid surgery is able to fix. These factors will influence whether your physician determines that a blepharoplasty would be appropriate for you.
What Does Eyelid Surgery Treat?
There are several medical conditions that eyelid surgery can help to rectify. If you are suffering from any of the following, your eyelid surgery will likely be approved:
- Ectropion
- Chronic eyelid fatigue
- Visual field obstruction
- Dermatochalasis
- Ptosis
The presence of any of the above medical conditions can also increase the likelihood that your insurance policy covers your surgery. Insurance providers are much more likely to cover a procedure if it is deemed to be medically necessary rather than performed for aesthetic purposes.
Threats to Qualifying
There are also qualities or conditions that can disqualify a patient from treatment. This is due to the fact that these qualities can make it somewhat unsafe to receive treatment. Take note of the following prohibitive conditions if you are interested in eyelid surgery.
- Blood clotting disorders
- Severe chronic health issues
- Current or former smoker
- Autoimmune disorders
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
The presence of any of these conditions may ultimately disqualify you from receiving eyelid surgery. Your physician will determine whether this is the case during a pre-surgical inspection.
Your Medical Examination
The pre-surgical medical examination that your surgeon performs will ultimately determine your qualification for eyelid surgery. During this appointment, you can expect some of the following to occur:
- Eyelid examination
- Visual field testing
- General medical history review
- Photographic documentation
Should your physician determine that you are fit for surgery, then you will be able to proceed with the additional steps of scheduling your procedure. Most patients who are in sound health will be able to proceed.
Risks of Blepharoplasty
As is true with any invasive surgery, you do assume some risks when you undergo a blepharoplasty. Understanding and anticipating these risks can make your procedure safer and help you determine if you want to proceed with the operation. Risks of blepharoplasty include:
- Infection
- Irritation
- Scarring
- Difficulty closing the eyes
- Injury to the eyes
- Temporary loss of vision
- Need for follow-up surgery
Most patients will not experience any of the above side effects during their procedure. You can discuss with your doctor whether or not you are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse side effects during your pre-surgical consultation. Undergoing all of the necessary steps of preparing for eyelid surgery will ultimately ensure that you and your doctor are able to deliver the highest level of service available in the safest manner possible, which is ultimately in everyone’s best interest.
Eyelid Surgery in Virginia
Dr. Nicole Langelier and her amazing team are dedicated to offering patients the best in oculofacial plastic surgery. If you have questions about what this fantastic procedure can do for you, contact us today to schedule an appointment.