Also called dermatochalasis. Loose upper-lid skin that folds onto the lashes.
What it is
The skin of the upper lid loosens with age and can fold down over the lid, sometimes onto the lashes. It is the commonest reason people come to an oculoplastic clinic.
Symptoms
Folds of skin resting on the lashes, heavy or tired eyes by the evening, and sometimes a loss of the top of your field of vision. Some people notice eye make-up smudging on the fold.
Causes
Ageing skin, and often a brow that has dropped at the same time. It runs in families. Being tired or unwell makes it look worse.
When to get it checked
Have it checked if the skin is blocking the top of your vision, if one side is much lower than the other, or if a lid has dropped suddenly.
How it is checked
Every plan starts with an examination by a consultant, not a photograph or a questionnaire.
- Your consultant examines your lids, measures their height and position, and checks the surface of your eye and how well it closes. Photographs are taken for your record.
- What your consultant finds is explained in plain English, there and then.
- You leave with a written plan and, where treatment is right for you, a written fee.
- You are never asked to decide on the day.
If surgery is not the right answer, your consultant will say so, and explain what happens if you do nothing.
Questions patients ask
Do I need a referral?
No. You can request a consultation directly. A letter from your GP or optometrist is helpful if you have one, and your insurer may ask for it.
Will I need surgery?
Not always. Your consultant will explain whether treatment is needed, what each option involves, and what happens if you do nothing.
What happens at the consultation?
Your consultant examines your lids, measures their height and position, and checks the surface of your eye and how well it closes. Photographs are taken for your record. You leave with a written plan and fee, and time to decide.
How soon can I be seen?
The clinic team will offer the first suitable appointment, and sooner where your consultant judges it urgent.