Droopy Eyelid

[Free To Canoe]

DW had surgery for this on both eyes. They were blocking her vision. Insurance covered it. She was bummed that she had an "old persons problem". It helped alot. Less tripping over things.

 

[Katsmeow]

There are really two different thing that could be happening here. They are quite different. She might have ptosis but she might just have loosened skin due to aging. Loose skin due to aging is done through a blepharoplasty where basically the excess skin is removed. It is often couple with a temporal brow lift. Blepharoplasty is usually a cosmetic procedure. You can have a situation where there is much loose skin that it affects vision and insurance or Medicare will pay for it.

I have had a cosmetic blepharoplasty and temporal browlift. I coupled it with a facelift and it was a cosmetic procedure since it wasn't affecting my vision. The recovery was easy and I am glad I did it (4 years ago). I did have revision surgery within the first year after. They are careful not to remove too much skin. It is much easier to deal with needing to remove more skin enough skin rather than removing too much. The revision was very easy to do.

Ptosis is different. Ptosis is when the muscles around the upper eyelids weaken and they don't lift the upper eyelids properly. That is often age related. Ptosis can also cause the eyelid to sag enough to interfere with vision. Ptosis repair requires a different procedure to correct. I have a slight ptosis in one eye. Not bad enough yet to do anything about. I notice it myself but most people would not.

Anyway, not all doctors who can do a blepheroplasty can do a ptosis repair. So if that is what is needed be sure to see a doctor who can do one

 

[Venturer]

Also makes it so the insurance will not pay. For my surgery the doc had to submit for preapproval, though he did not seem to think it was a big deal.

I was going to have this done 2 yrs. ago because it was bothering me too. I went to a specialist who took a bunch of measurements and pictures. They submitted them to my insurance and I was denied. I appealed it and was still denied. They told me that it was because of the way my employer had it in the contract it was cosmetic and not covered at all.blue cross of Tn. was the insurance but my employer was actually "self insured" and just using them to administer it.I have been just living with it but seeing these posts make me think about it again.I might just have to look into it again thru Medicare and supplement.

 

[MRG]

The greatest thing about the procedure is they knock you out with conscious sedation and then allow you to come almost awake so the surgeon can see how your eyes line up( you don't want a permanent startled look) and then cuts them off.

I heard this very loud Snip Snip Snip as they were removed. No pain and oddly no fear.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

It needs to be 30% obstructing vision before it is covered by Medicare. I called and asked. Mine is about 15% when looking straight forward.

 

[MRG]

It needs to be 30% obstructing vision before it is covered by Medicare. I called and asked. Mine is about 15% when looking straight forward.

My doctor told me only my left eye would qualify. I asked him to send both in and they were both approved. A gal I know said she was told she couldn't qualify, a few months later she did.