Blepharoplasty: HSA Eligibility

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty, also commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that is designed to correct droopy eyelids that are a common sign of aging. This form of plastic surgery involves removing excess skin, muscle and fat that may have accumulated around the eyelids over the years, which can contribute to an aged appearance. In rare cases, individuals may consider blepharoplasty for droopy eyelids because of a regression of peripheral vision, especially the upper and outer parts of a person's field of vision (MedicineNet.com). If the surgery is required due to vision being impaired, it may be eligible for reimbursement with appropriate documentation, such as a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) outlining that the primary purpose for undergoing the surgery is to treat vision impairment.

How is blepharoplasty performed?

Blepharoplasty is typically performed on an outpatient basis and usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours. Before both upper and lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon will mark the individual lines and creases of the eyelids in an effort to keep the scars as invisible as possible and have them fold into the natural lines of the patient's skin. In upper eyelid surgery, the incision is made and excess fat is removed and repositioned, while loose muscle and skin is removed. To lessen the appearance of scarring, fine sutures are put into place.

In lower eyelid surgery where incisions could be more noticeable, plastic surgeons will make the incision along an inconspicuous site on the lower lash line. The surgery will aim to remove excess fat, muscle and skin that are trimmed away during the procedure, and are then closed up with sutures. While the latter method is utilized to treat significant eyelid drooping, some individuals may opt for a technique called transconjunctival blepharoplasty, which is designed for chronic eyelid puffiness. In this case, the incision is made inside the lower eyelid, excess material is cleared out and self-dissolving sutures are used to leave no visible scarring (WebMD).

In the period following the surgery, patients may experience a degree of swelling from the affected areas, and surgeons recommend utilizing cold compresses to alleviate inflammation and sleeping in an elevated position to promote the healing process. In some cases, eye drops may be recommended for some patients to prevent eye dryness, as well as cleaning the affected area to prevent the risk of serious infections and other complications.