Also called steatoblepharon. Puffiness below the eyes that does not go away.
What it is
The pads of fat that cushion the eye can push forward as the tissue that holds them loosens, giving the puffiness under the eye that people call bags.
Symptoms
Puffiness below the eye that stays all day and is often worse in the morning, with loose skin and a hollow between the lid and the cheek.
Causes
Ageing, and often inherited. Sleep, salt and alcohol change how puffy they look on the day, but not the underlying fat.
When to get it checked
Have it checked if the puffiness appeared suddenly, is only on one side, or comes with redness or pain.
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.