Droopy eyelids is a common complaint Caroline Vloka, MD, hears from patients. As an oculofacial plastic and orbital surgeon at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, she sees many patients who need surgeries related to the surrounding structures of their eyes. Although many of these patients with droopy eyelids may initially ask about getting an eyelid procedure, there is another eyebrow-raising option that may alleviate their issue.
“A lot of people who come in for droopy lids actually just need a brow lift,” says Vloka, an assistant professor in the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Ophthalmology. “Because the brow is much heavier and thicker than the eyelid, it causes a lot of mechanical pressure that can lead to this droopiness. When we lift the eyebrow back to where it is supposed to be, we can see that it usually lifts the eyelid as well.”
Brow lifts are a fairly common procedure at the eye center, she explains, estimating that roughly half of her patients who are getting a blepharoplasty — a common surgical procedure to remove excess skin from the eyes — will also get a brow lift. However, there are different types of brow lifts, making it essential for patients to be well informed about their options before opting for surgery. We recently spoke with Vloka to learn more about the variations of brow lifts and key distinctions to look out for.
The following interview has been edited and condensed.