in Washington D.C.

Blurred vision is unlikely to be caused by droopy eyelids alone. However, if the eyelid hangs low enough to block the pupil then it can certainly be responsible for reduced vision. Luckily, with eyelid surgery, Dr. Cohen can lift and rejuvenate the eyelid, allowing you a clearer field of vision and a revitalized appearance.

Correcting droopy eyelids appropriately means treating the underlying cause. Eyelids can be “droopy” if too much skin has stretched across the upper eyelid over time. Alternatively, there can be issues within the muscle of the eyelid causing the lower margin to fall and partially cover the pupil. This is referred to as eyelid “ptosis”. Excess skin can easily be removed during a blepharoplasty procedure to recontour a mature upper eyelid. Ptosis repair involves shortening or tightening the eyelid muscle to raise it and reopen the eye. It is important to note that the treatment for one condition does not improve the other, and therefore, a thorough examination is necessary to identify the appropriate underlying cause of your eyelid appearance prior to considering surgery.

Cost of cosmetic eyelid surgery varies greatly based on factors such as location, surgeon experience, and case complexity. For eyelid surgery, specifically, more advanced techniques like fat grafting or CO2 laser, tend to command higher prices. As a result, an eyelid surgery could be done for as low as $3,000 in some cases, or as high as $25,000, or more. Regardless, it’s important to find a surgeon and team where you feel a connection, so at whatever the price you recognize and appreciate the value.

Eyelid surgery is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today. It has a significant track record of positive outcomes and is perfectly safe when done correctly by an experienced surgeon. The majority of cases can be done simply under local anesthesia, however, some cases require IV sedation or general anesthesia. Anesthesia carries inherent medical risks so a full preoperative medical evaluation should be considered for any patient undergoing eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery at the Cohen Clinic for Plastic Surgery should leave you feeling refreshed and engaged, without tell-tale signs of traditional eyelid procedures. There is generally a 1-2 week recovery period of mostly social downtime, with mild to moderate bruising and swelling expected. Vision may be temporarily blurry or uncomfortable during the first several days following the procedure. If used, sutures are typically removed around 1 week out. Healing improves gradually, with most patients seeing final results between 6 and 12 months from surgery.

While not as widely known, yes, Botox can lift mild droopy eyelids, but it does so indirectly. By relaxing the muscles that pull the eyebrows down, there is less heaviness from above, so the eyelids can naturally feel more open and bright. Patients with this concern often come to us thinking they may need a more invasive procedure and are happy to discover they simply need a few injections.

Dr. Cohen considers your safety as his number one priority, and eyelid surgery has a very long track record of success. While knowing the risks before surgery is a vital and important part of the surgical process, with an experienced surgeon like Dr. Cohen, severe risks like blindness are extremely rare following blepharoplasty.

Eyelid surgery can leave scars, but because the incisions are placed in hidden areas, like in the natural crease of the eyelid, they should become nearly invisible over time. Additionally, Dr. Cohen will provide you with guidelines on how to take care of the treatment area to minimize the chances of any visible scarring.

As you start your recovery, you should avoid sleeping on your side after eyelid surgery if possible, as it could cause more swelling or tension at your sutures. This could negatively affect your results. Dr. Cohen will let you know when sleeping on your side is okay.