SECTION 01
Distinguish eyelid droop from skin and brow position
A heavy upper eyelid may reflect true ptosis, skin redundancy, eyebrow descent, swelling or several factors together. Forehead muscle overactivity can temporarily raise the brows and hide the resting relationship in posed photographs.
Assessment should record eyelid height, crease, levator function, brow position, pupil relationship, symmetry and change with fatigue. A remote selfie cannot reliably make that distinction.
- Attend photographs and examination with the forehead relaxed.
- Report whether droop changes during the day or with fatigue.
- Bring older photographs if the change appears new or progressive.
SECTION 02
Know when broader medical review matters
Sudden droop, double vision, unequal pupils, weakness, severe headache or other new neurologic symptoms require prompt medical evaluation, not a routine cosmetic appointment. Thyroid, neurologic, muscle and prior eye conditions can also affect planning.
The clinician may recommend ophthalmic, neurologic or other assessment before any cosmetic decision. This guide provides general preparation and cannot diagnose the cause of an eyelid change.
SECTION 03
Coordinate function with cosmetic design
If treatment is discussed, ask whether it targets eyelid-opening function, skin, fat, crease design, brow position or a combination. Each step has separate goals, limitations and risks, including asymmetry, under- or overcorrection, dry eye and difficulty closing the eye.
Perfect matching cannot be promised because baseline anatomy and muscle response differ between sides. The surgeon should explain whether staged treatment is safer or more predictable than combining steps.
SECTION 04
Protect eye review and travel time
When the treating team selects local anesthesia, a patient may leave on the same day after observation and discharge clearance; sedation, combined treatment or individual findings can require a different pathway. If external sutures are used, review or removal is often considered around day 7, but the final schedule belongs to the treating team. International travel still requires clinical clearance.
The actual pathway can change with sedation, combined surgery or medical findings. International patients should confirm eye-surface care, vision warning signs, in-person reviews and access to urgent eye assessment before travel is clinically cleared.
- Keep required vision and wound checks in the itinerary.
- Do not resume contact lenses or eye products without approval.
- Carry a procedure summary for qualified care at home.