Your eyes are one of the first things people notice about your appearance, as much due to color as to shape, emotion, personality, or intent. As a result, any problem with your eyes can cause a lot of stress, so you should see a doctor as soon as possible whenever an issue pops up.
If you suffer from vision problems, you might visit your optometrist for an eye test to see if you need glasses or corrective lenses. On the other hand, if you have a serious eye disease or need corrective eye surgery, you might visit your ophthalmologist, a licensed medical doctor in Beverly Hills who has more training.
But what do you do if you have a cosmetic issue with your eyes? Not vision problems or an eye disease, but an aesthetic problem, such as a chronic eyelid droop? Whom do you visit for cosmetic eyelid surgery? If you’re like many of our patients at TabanMD in Los Angeles, you may have asked yourself similar questions.
Fortunately, there are several options to consider if you’re thinking about droopy eyelid treatment, although the kind of doctor is less important than his or her skill, training, and experience.
Droopy Eyelids or Ptosis
Ptosis (“toe-sis”) is what medical professionals call drooping of your upper eyelid, and it often causes your field of vision to be reduced. In fact, if you have this condition, you probably have a hard time keeping your eyelids open. You may have to compensate for this by arching your eyebrows to raise your eyelid, or, in severe cases, use your fingers to keep your eyelids open enough to see. If this sounds like you, then you should consider cosmetic eyelid surgery.
What Causes Ptosis?
There are several different factors in a droopy eyelid, with one of the most common being age. One of the muscles that lifts the eyelid is called the levator muscle. Often, the aging process causes the tendon attached to the muscle to stretch or weaken so much that it won’t contract, which causes your eyelid to droop. Another common factor is the growth of excess skin, which causes your eyelid to droop.
Other factors include the following:
- Trauma
- Chronic contact lens wear
- Congenital weakness
- Neurologic disease
- Stretching of either the muscle or tendon due to LASIK or cataract surgery
How Can Drooping Lids Be Corrected?
You can have ptosis corrected by undergoing cosmetic eyelid surgery. One type is ptosis surgery, the main goal of which is an eyelid lift. The procedure tightens the weakened or stretched levator muscle, which elevates the eyelid. Another corrective treatment is a blepharoplasty, a procedure that removes your excess skin.
Whichever cosmetic eyelid surgery you need – and they can be performed at the same time should your condition require it – the result is that your full field of vision returns. Even better for some people are ancillary benefits like a more sculpted eye and a refreshed, more vivacious looking appearance.
Learn more about ptosis treatment at WebMD.com.
But the question remains – what kind of doctor should you see for cosmetic eyelid surgery?
Experience and Skill Count More Than a Label
You can undergo a Los Angeles cosmetic eyelid surgery when it is performed by one of the following types of cosmetic eyelid surgeon:
- Plastic surgeon
- Facial plastic surgeon
- Oculoplastic surgeon
While it’s possible that any of the three can perform cosmetic eyelid surgery, there are several things to consider before making a final decision. You want to look for an oculoplastic surgeon who has the skill, training, and touch necessary for such a precise surgery. If your doctor has membership in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), it signifies board certification in and knowledge of eye anatomy as well as extensive training and experience in plastic reconstructive and cosmetic eye surgery.
What really matters, though, is the surgeon’s experience. The cosmetic eyelid surgeon you choose should have experience in doing reconstructive surgery on any part of your eye: upper and lower eyelids, orbital socket, and tear drain system. They should have experience and demonstrable expertise in eyelid ptosis correction and blepharoplasty. They should also have a true background and training in oculoplastic surgery, as this shows that they have the technique and understanding of aesthetics to properly administer such a delicate, precise procedure.
It’s possible that the cosmetic eyelid surgeon you choose is an ophthalmologist, a choice that, at first glance, would seem odd. However, as an ASOPRS trained oculoplastic surgeon in Beverly Hills with a track record of success and experience, they could be an excellent choice.
There’s Really Just One Choice – Los Angeles Eyelid Surgeon Dr. Taban
If you have a droopy eyelid that’s bothering you aesthetically or limiting your vision medically, you may need to undergo cosmetic eyelid surgery. At the very least, you should schedule a consultation with Los Angeles oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Mehryar (Ray) Taban to find out more. He has the training, skill, and experience to make your corrective eyelid lift procedure a success. Contact TabanMD online or call us in Beverly Hills at 310.499.2565 or in Santa Barbara at 805.556.7099.
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