Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were nearly 210,000 blepharoplasties performed in 2017, making eyelid surgery the 4th most common cosmetic surgery procedure.
Many people elect to have eyelid surgery to improve their appearance if they have heavy or droopy upper eyelids. Surgeons remove excess skin, as well as muscle and sometimes fat, to tighten or “lift” the upper eyelids for a more youthful, bright-eyed appearance.
But oftentimes, heavy or droopy upper eyelids can affect a person’s vision. Sagging skin or excess fat on the upper eyelids can reduce your peripheral vision, particularly the upper and outer parts of your field of vision. Likewise, excess skin that covers the eyelashes can also impair your vision.
If an ophthalmologist or eye surgeon recommends eyelid surgery because your eyelids are affecting your vision, the procedure is considered medically necessary and therefore is typically covered by most insurance plans.
However, if heavy eyelids are not affecting your vision and you choose to have upper eyelid surgery anyway to improve your appearance, insurance probably won’t cover the cost. In addition, lower eyelid surgery is almost always performed solely for cosmetic reasons and as such isn’t covered by insurance.
According to 2017 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for eyelid surgery is $3,022, although costs can vary widely. The best thing to do if you’re considering upper eyelid surgery is to talk with an eye surgeon who specializes in oculoplastics, which means reconstructive, plastic and cosmetic surgical procedures for the eye.
At Baptist Eye Surgeons, Dr. Anzeljc is an experienced oculoplastic surgeon who performs eyelid surgeries to improve patients’ vision, appearance, or both. Dr. Anzeljc also specializes in non-surgical procedures including Botox, fillers, peels and lasers to improve the appearance of the eyes and to rejuvenate the face.
Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN, dedicated to providing quality eye care to patients whose needs range from routine comprehensive eye examinations to complex eye surgeries. To meet our doctors and learn more about our specialities, visit our website or give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
