Condition
Hooded Eyelids
Hooded or drooping eyelids affect both appearance and, in some cases, vision. There are effective solutions available.
Overview
Hooded or drooping eyelids affect both appearance and, in some cases, vision. There are effective solutions available.
Hooded or drooping eyelids can make a person appear perpetually tired or older than they feel. As the whole face is affected by the weight of the upper lids, it is easy to understand why this concern prompts so many patients to seek advice. The condition can affect people of all ages, though it tends to become more pronounced over time.
For some patients the concern is purely cosmetic; for others, excess skin and fat on the upper eyelid can create a physical heaviness that encroaches on the upper field of vision, making the issue both aesthetic and functional. Ptosis (true drooping of the eyelid muscle itself) is a separate but related concern that is also surgically correctable.
At Maison Restorative we offer both non-surgical and surgical approaches. A brow lift with anti-wrinkle injections can alleviate some of the downward pull on the upper eyelid without any recovery time. For more significant or lasting correction, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and ptosis surgery are well-established day-case procedures that deliver dramatic and long-lasting results.
Available Treatments
How we treat hooded eyelids
Symptoms
What it looks and feels like
- Upper eyelids that appear to hood, droop or hang over the lash line
- A permanently tired or heavy expression regardless of how rested you feel
- A sensation of weight or heaviness across the upper eyelids
- Reduced upper visual field in more pronounced cases
- Low or uneven brow position contributing to the appearance of heavy lids
- Deepened lines across the forehead from habitually raising the brows to compensate
Causes
Why it happens
- Loss of skin elasticity and excess skin accumulation on the upper eyelid with age
- Weakening of the levator muscle that lifts the upper eyelid (ptosis)
- Descent of the brow position placing additional weight on the upper lid
- Accumulation of fat pads in the upper or lower eyelid area
- Genetics, with some patients noticing hooded lids from a relatively young age
When to seek advice
If hooded or drooping eyelids are affecting your confidence, making you look tired when you are not, or beginning to impair your vision, it is worth booking a consultation. Early assessment helps identify the best approach, whether non-surgical or surgical, before the condition becomes more pronounced.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can Botox help with hooded eyelids?
In suitable cases, a small number of precisely placed anti-wrinkle injections can gently lift the brow, reducing some of the weight pressing on the upper eyelid. It is a temporary but effective non-surgical option for mild cases or for patients who are not ready for surgery.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and, where necessary, repositions or removes fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It is a well-established day-case operation performed under local anaesthetic, with results that can last many years.
What is ptosis surgery?
Ptosis refers to true drooping of the upper eyelid caused by weakening of the levator muscle. Ptosis surgery tightens this muscle to restore the eyelid to its natural position. Our oculoplastic team performs this procedure under local anaesthetic as a day case.
How long is the recovery after eyelid surgery?
Most patients can return to everyday activities within a few days. Bruising and swelling typically settle within one to two weeks. Your surgeon will give you a detailed aftercare plan beforehand.
Will the scars be visible?
The incision is placed within the natural crease of the eyelid, so once healed it is well hidden. In experienced hands the scars are minimal and typically become very difficult to detect within a few months.
Can hooded eyes be treated without surgery?
For mild hooding, a few precisely placed anti-wrinkle injections can lift the brow slightly and reduce the weight on the upper lid, with no downtime. This is temporary, and where there is significant excess skin, blepharoplasty gives a far more complete and lasting result. A consultation will tell you which suits your eyes.
How much does hooded eyelid treatment or eyelid surgery cost?
Pricing depends on whether a non-surgical or surgical approach is agreed and is confirmed in writing at your consultation, with no obligation to proceed.
Concerned about hooded eyelids?
Book a consultation with our specialist team. We will assess the cause and recommend the right combination of treatments for you.
Book a consultation