Upper Blepharoplasty Can Greatly Improve Vision
In anticipation of retiring, executive Mike Fuss and his wife decided to spend even more time in Estero, Florida, where they have lived seasonally since 2012. As part of transitioning to beautiful Southwest Florida as their permanent residence, Mike selected new Florida-based healthcare providers. He says he chose Collins Vision as his eye care provider because it is a large, modern practice with advanced technologies and capabilities.
Mike already knew he had what he called a droopy eye. But he didn’t think too much about it and figured it was just part of getting older. “I did notice that the drooping was worse when I was tired,” he said. So when Dr. Jason Friedrichs explained to him that there is a procedure to address upper eyelid drooping and that it may be covered by insurance, Mike was interested to hear more.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the medical term for an eyelid surgery that corrects the drooping or sagging tissues of the upper and/or lower eyelids. The surgery involves removing skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids with the goal of debulking the upper eyelid fold, sharpening the crease and restoring the lower eyelid concavity. The surgery typically requires incisions that follow the natural upper eyelid crease and are hidden along the inside of the lower eyelid. In most cases, the incisions blend with the smile lines at the outside corner of the eyelids.
Medicare and insurance may cover upper eyelid blepharoplasty if it is causing a functional problem that interferes with vision. This was the case for Mike. Special tests are performed by Dr. Friedrichs and his staff to determine the level of vision loss that might be occurring due to droopy upper eyelids. The results of these tests and your confidential consultation with the surgeon will be used to determine if the upper eyelid droopiness is sufficient for Medicare or your insurance to cover the treatment.
Improved Vision and Improved Appearance
Mike didn’t realize how much his peripheral vision had diminished until it was restored after having a functional upper blepharoplasty at Collins Vision. “I had no idea how easily this problem could be corrected,” said Mike. “I notice the improvement most when I’m driving. It really has helped my awareness, especially in my peripheral vision.”
As impressed as Mike was with his improved vision, he was equally impressed with the level of care he received from the team at Collins Vision. “They were very detail-oriented, data and testing driven, and sufficiently detailed in preparing me for what to expect during and after the procedure,” said Mike.
Although he did experience some mild bruising from the procedure, Mike was grateful that the clinical team had prepared him for that. With diligent icing of the area and topical medication to help ease bruising and scarring, he’s happy to report the bruising subsided within a few weeks and the incision scar is virtually invisible. “I’m incredibly happy with the results,” said Mike.
See the Difference with Improved Vision at Collins Vision
If eyelid surgery is something you have thought about but you’re just not sure, we’d like to encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced eye surgeons. We can evaluate your unique condition and recommend the right treatment option for you.
At Collins Vision, with locations in Fort Myers and Naples, we are excited to help as many people as possible enjoy restored, rejuvenated vision, and we would be honored to serve you, too. Schedule an appointment today.
