Dermatochalasis is a condition in which the thin layers of skin, muscle, and fat in the upper eyelid sag over time. It may exist independent from or in conjunction with ptosis, a drooping of the eyelid margin itself. The excess skin that develops can often be severe enough to affect a person’s vision. Dermatochalasis can be addressed with an outpatient surgical procedure called an upper blepharoplasty in which excess skin, muscle, and fat may be removed or repositioned in order to achieve a tightening effect while preserving the normal function of the eyelid. Medical insurance may or may not cover this eyelid procedure based on the severity of the functional visual impairment. Your eyelid surgeon may wish to obtain additional testing in order to determine whether or not medical insurance will allow coverage.