What can I do with my droopy eyelids? Dermatochalasis is most commonly found in patients over 50 years of age, and involves excess skin of the upper eyelids. Ask the Doctor What are the symptoms of dermatochalasis? Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms include brow ache, eye fatigue and reduced peripheral vision. Many patients will notice their eyelid skin resting on their eyelashes, and may see their eyelid or lashes interfering with their upper visual field. Many patients also report their eyes get tired later in the day, and they struggle with reading and other tasks due to fatigue. Many of these patients will also have horizontal wrinkles across their forehead from constantly lifting their brow to help hold their eyes open wider. Murry D. Westberg O.D. What treatment options are available? The excess lid skin can be removed in a minor outpatient pro- cedure called a blepharoplasty. During the procedure, a wedge of VisioN SOURCE skin is removed from the upper lids, and the lids are sutured back together. Occasionally during this surgery, the patient's upper eyelid muscles are also tightened to assist with lifting the lids. There are rarely any complications and patients enjoy brighter vision and less fatigue after the surgery. PARK RAPIDS & WALKER EYE CLINICS 100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666 Where do I start? If you are having symptoms of dermatochalasis, your first step is to see your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. If your dermatochalasis is significant enough, we will have you perform a visual field test to determine what effect the lids are having on your peripheral vision. We will then send all your information to a lid sur- geon, who you will see to discuss treatment options. In many cases, if the lids are having a negative effect on your vision, medical insur- ance may cover a portion of the surgery. Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D. 1-877-700-3389 www.prweyeclinic.com What can I do with my droopy eyelids? Dermatochalasis is most commonly found in patients over 50 years of age, and involves excess skin of the upper eyelids. Ask the Doctor What are the symptoms of dermatochalasis? Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition. The most common symptoms include brow ache, eye fatigue and reduced peripheral vision. Many patients will notice their eyelid skin resting on their eyelashes, and may see their eyelid or lashes interfering with their upper visual field. Many patients also report their eyes get tired later in the day, and they struggle with reading and other tasks due to fatigue. Many of these patients will also have horizontal wrinkles across their forehead from constantly lifting their brow to help hold their eyes open wider. Murry D. Westberg O.D. What treatment options are available? The excess lid skin can be removed in a minor outpatient pro- cedure called a blepharoplasty. During the procedure, a wedge of VisioN SOURCE skin is removed from the upper lids, and the lids are sutured back together. Occasionally during this surgery, the patient's upper eyelid muscles are also tightened to assist with lifting the lids. There are rarely any complications and patients enjoy brighter vision and less fatigue after the surgery. PARK RAPIDS & WALKER EYE CLINICS 100 Huntsinger Ave, Park Rapids 732-3389 107 6th St., Walker 547-3666 Where do I start? If you are having symptoms of dermatochalasis, your first step is to see your optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam. If your dermatochalasis is significant enough, we will have you perform a visual field test to determine what effect the lids are having on your peripheral vision. We will then send all your information to a lid sur- geon, who you will see to discuss treatment options. In many cases, if the lids are having a negative effect on your vision, medical insur- ance may cover a portion of the surgery. Murry D. Westberg, O.D. Jen Keller, O.D. R.W. Helm, O.D. 1-877-700-3389 www.prweyeclinic.com