Your eyes deserve
an eye surgeon.
Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery — is one of the most common facial procedures in the country. And one of the most commonly performed by surgeons who don't specialize in eyes. Dr. Malitz is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has spent his entire career operating on and around the eye. That distinction matters more than most patients realize.
Medical or cosmetic — or both
Blepharoplasty can be a medical necessity, a cosmetic choice, or a combination of both. Here's how to think about it:
What blepharoplasty actually does
The plain version — no filler language.
Blepharoplasty removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The goal depends on the patient: for some, it's restoring the peripheral vision that drooping skin has been blocking for years. For others, it's looking less tired. For many, it's both.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the most medically straightforward ways to dramatically improve someone's appearance and their visual function in a single procedure. The sagging skin above the lash line isn't just cosmetic — when it's heavy enough, it presses down on the eyelid and narrows your field of vision. You may have been compensating for years by raising your eyebrows, which causes forehead strain and headaches.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty addresses puffiness and bags beneath the eyes. It's almost always cosmetic, though it can occasionally be medically indicated. The procedure repositions or removes the fat pads that create that tired, aged look beneath the eyes.
Medical vs. cosmetic: what insurance covers
This is the question most patients ask first, and the answer is more nuanced than most clinics let on.
🩺 Medical blepharoplasty
When excess eyelid skin measurably obstructs your vision, blepharoplasty becomes a medical procedure. Insurance — including Medicare — typically covers it once visual field testing confirms the impairment.
- Visual field testing documents the obstruction
- Photos show skin resting on or past the lash line
- Prior authorization obtained before surgery
- Covered by most medical insurance plans
- Upper eyelids are the most commonly approved
✨ Cosmetic blepharoplasty
If your eyelids bother you aesthetically but don't obstruct your vision, the procedure is classified as cosmetic and is self-pay. Many patients combine insurance-covered upper lids with self-pay lower lid work in the same session.
- Lower eyelid surgery: addresses bags and puffiness
- Upper lid refinement beyond what's medically needed
- Can be combined with medical upper bleph in one session
- HSA and FSA funds can be applied
- Financing available through CareCredit
Here's what we do at your consultation: Dr. Malitz examines your eyelids, performs a visual field test if appropriate, and tells you honestly which components are medical, which are cosmetic, and what insurance is likely to cover. No guesswork, no surprises when the bill arrives. Our surgical coordinator Brittany handles insurance verification and prior authorization before anything is scheduled.
Why an eye surgeon — not just any plastic surgeon
This is the part most patients don't think about until it's too late.
Eyelid anatomy is eye anatomy
The eyelid sits millimeters from the cornea, the tear glands, and the muscles that control eye opening and closure. An ophthalmologist has spent years operating within this anatomy — it's not a secondary skill set, it's the primary one. Removing too much skin or disrupting the wrong muscle can cause incomplete eye closure, chronic dry eye, or worse.
Function and appearance, simultaneously
A board-certified ophthalmologist evaluates how your eyelids affect your vision, your tear film, and your eye surface health — not just how they look. This matters because blepharoplasty done purely for aesthetics by a surgeon unfamiliar with ocular function can create new medical problems.
Conservative by training
Eye surgeons are trained to preserve tissue and function above all else. That conservative instinct produces results that look natural — not pulled, not hollow, not overcorrected. The best blepharoplasty is the one nobody can tell you had.
Complications stay in-house
If a complication involves the eye or its surrounding structures, you want the surgeon who created it to also be the one trained to manage it. An ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat ocular complications directly — no referrals, no delays, no "that's not my department."
The procedure, step by step
From consultation through recovery.
Consultation & evaluation
Dr. Malitz examines your eyelids, photographs them, and — if a medical component is suspected — performs visual field testing to document the obstruction. You'll discuss your goals, whether medical or cosmetic or both, and leave with a clear understanding of your options and cost.
Insurance & scheduling
For medical cases, Brittany submits prior authorization to your insurance and confirms your coverage before surgery is scheduled. For cosmetic cases, you'll receive clear pricing upfront. No surprises either way.
Procedure day
Blepharoplasty is performed under local anesthesia at our AAAHC-accredited in-house surgery center. The procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes depending on whether one or both sets of eyelids are treated. Incisions follow the natural crease of the eyelid, making them essentially invisible once healed.
Recovery
Expect mild bruising and swelling for 1–2 weeks. Cold compresses and elevation help. Most patients return to normal activities within 7–10 days. Sutures are typically removed at your first follow-up visit. The final result continues to refine over several weeks as swelling fully resolves.
What "board-certified ophthalmologist" means in practice
Dr. Malitz graduated from UCLA School of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary — one of the top eye training programs in the country. He's been performing eyelid and ocular surgeries for over 30 years. When we say "eye surgeon," we don't mean a generalist who happens to do eyelid work. We mean someone whose entire career has been spent operating on and around the eye.
Healing in the desert has its own rules.
Post-surgical eyelid skin is sensitive. Las Vegas's environment adds a few recovery considerations most clinics don't address.
Sun exposure is the enemy of healing incisions
UV radiation can cause incisions to darken permanently. In desert sunlight, quality sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat aren't optional during your recovery — they're part of the prescription.
Dry air amplifies post-op dryness
Low humidity and constant A/C accelerate tear evaporation — especially when eyelids are healing and may not close as tightly during the first days. We prescribe a lubrication protocol calibrated for the Las Vegas climate.
In-house accredited surgery center
Your procedure happens at our own AAAHC-accredited facility on W Flamingo Rd — not a hospital outpatient department. Same surgeon, same team, same building where you had your consultation.
Beyond standard blepharoplasty
Some eyelid conditions require more than skin removal. Dr. Malitz evaluates the full picture.
Ptosis repair
Ptosis is a drooping upper eyelid caused by a weakened levator muscle — the muscle that lifts the lid. It's different from excess skin and requires a different surgical approach. Dr. Malitz can address ptosis alongside or instead of blepharoplasty depending on your anatomy.
BOTOX®
For crow's feet, forehead lines, and brow positioning, BOTOX® can complement blepharoplasty results or serve as a less invasive alternative for mild concerns. We offer BOTOX® at the practice.
Revision surgery
If you've had eyelid surgery elsewhere and aren't happy with the result — or developed complications like incomplete closure or asymmetry — Dr. Malitz evaluates revision cases. These require particular care and experience.
What patients ask us most
Straight answers, no hedging.
Ready to find out what's right for your eyelids?
A consultation with Dr. Malitz starts with a thorough evaluation — medical, cosmetic, or both. You'll leave knowing your options, whether insurance applies, and what to expect. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Or call us directly: 702-362-3900 · W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas