Excess skin and/or protruding fat can be present in one or both upper or lower eyelids, but is most common in the upper lids. The excess skin can droop in front of the eye, blocking the upper vision and can be a cosmetic problem. It can also cause an uncomfortable heavy, tired sensation, particularly when reading or concentrating. Sometimes the skin can sit on the eyelashes causing discomfort, pushing the eyelashes into the area of vision or making it difficult to apply make-up. Finally, excess skin on the outer side of the upper eyelid sometimes tracks tears in the wrong direction (‘wicking’) causing a watery eye.
Excess skin most commonly occurs with aging, but sometimes occurs in younger age groups and can run in families. It is sometimes associated with ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelids)