When Is Functional Blepharoplasty Needed?

A functional blepharoplasty (in contrast to a cosmetic blepharoplasty) is eyelid surgery performed for medical reasons.

In most cases, a functional eye lift is performed to remove loose skin from the upper eyelid if it droops low enough to impair your vision for driving or other visual tasks.

Another functional problem is difficulty wearing glasses or contact lenses from baggy upper eyelids.

Other medical conditions that may require functional eyelid surgery include:

• Irritation from excess folds of eyelid skin rubbing together.
• Forehead discomfort from overused muscles that strain to lift sagging skin in the eyelid area.

As with cosmetic blepharoplasty, functional blepharoplasty most often is performed by ophthalmologists and oculoplastic surgeons.

However, general plastic surgeons, ear, nose and throat surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons also perform medically necessary eyelid surgery.