Drooping eyelids bother many people because they always make their facial expression look tired or irritated. However, drooping upper eyelids can also cause eye inflammation or obstruct vision. Drooping eyelids can be corrected with a minor procedure.
Full of energy and in a good mood, but a look in the mirror reveals a tired or grumpy face. Most people with drooping eyelids know that this particular eyelid shape distorts their expression. This is no consolation, and for many people with drooping eyelids, the mismatch between their mood and visible expression is more than just a cosmetic problem. “Constantly being perceived as being in a bad mood or tired and exhausted because of this physical condition can be a major psychological burden. Professional situations and private contacts can suffer as a result, and self-confidence is virtually crushed by the eyelids,” says Anna Burger, Senior Consultant for Plastic Surgery at Zurich University Hospital. Time and again, she sees women and men with drooping eyelids develop massive psychological problems as a result.
Excess skin is to blame for the sleepy look
Drooping eyelids are caused by excess skin in the upper eyelid area. The resulting drooping eyelids cause a facial expression of tiredness or irritability, they make someone appear older or constantly skeptical. Many women and men with drooping eyelids try to counteract this effect by consciously and intently keeping their eyes open. This puts even more strain on the muscles, however, and after a short time you will experience signs of fatigue. The eyes can also become irritated if the moisturizing blink is suppressed.
Restricted vision and inflammation due to severe drooping eyelids
However, if the elasticity of the eyelid skin gradually decreases or is extremely pronounced, drooping eyelids can restrict the field of vision and the heavy eyelids can push eyelashes into the eye, causing recurring inflammation. This sagging process is often accompanied by a so-called brow ptosis, i.e. the sagging of the forehead skin. This is clearly visible in the fact that the eyebrow is also increasingly lower.
The surgical eyelid lift is a permanent solution
If drooping eyelids become a burden, they can be permanently corrected with a minor procedure. During surgical tightening of the skin of the upper eyelids (medical blepharoplasty), the excess skin and, depending on the extent of the procedure, protruding fatty tissue that actually surrounds the eyeball is removed. The incision is made in the fold of the eyelid. The scars are therefore barely visible in typical cases.
Details on the surgical tightening of drooping eyelidsBack home on the same day
The procedure is performed in an operating theater and on an outpatient basis, i.e. the patient comes to the clinic on the day of the operation and can go home again on the same day. In the vast majority of cases, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Consultation before the operation
“Before the drooping eyelid operation, we discuss the patient’s wishes and the expected result with them in a detailed consultation,” says Anna Burger, describing the procedure. “We explain step by step how we proceed when tightening the upper eyelids.” Preparation is also discussed: “Painkillers that affect blood clotting (e.g. aspirin) should be avoided for 14 days before the operation. We also recommend not smoking for two weeks before and after the operation.”
Possible complications
Minor bruising may occur after the operation. In the beginning, the eye can also be very sensitive to light, even to the point of conjunctivitis. As with all operations, there is a risk of post-operative bleeding, infection, impaired wound healing or excessive scarring.
Use sun protection after the operation
The stitches are removed after one week. You should also avoid the sun for about a year after the procedure or use a sunscreen with a high protection factor (SPF 50+).
