Are you struggling with droopy eyelids and want an option that doesn’t require surgery? Upneeq may be right for you.
Droopy eyelids are very common, but they can also be quite troublesome. Sagging upper eyelids can be especially annoying as they can get in the way of your vision.
Sagging upper and lower eyelids can be treated through eyelid surgery, but there’s also a non-surgical option called Upneeq. If you struggle with drooping upper eyelids, Upneeq could be a good choice for you. Keep reading to learn about whether you should consider Upneeq for droopy lids.
What is Upneeq?
Upneeq is an entirely non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for drooping eyelids. It’s a prescription eye drop you can use to help improve your saggy eyelids.
When you take the eyedrops, they temporarily lift your upper eyelids, allowing your eyes to open up more, giving you a more alert appearance and a fuller field of vision.
How Does Upneeq Work?
Eyelids usually begin to droop as a result of aging. As you get older, your body tends to change in many ways. One of these changes is that muscles throughout the body begin to weaken.
This includes smaller muscles, like the ones that are in charge of opening your eyes. When the muscles that open your eyes weaken, it causes the eyelids to droop. This leads to bags under the eyes from drooping lower eyelids and hooded eyes due to drooping upper eyelids.
Upneeq contains a medication called oxymetazoline. When absorbed into the eye, the medication stimulates Muller’s muscle, which is the muscle that controls the upper eyelid.
The muscle then contracts, raising the eyelid. This effect is not permanent but lasts for around 6 hours, allowing you to maintain better vision and a more alert appearance during that time.
How Do I Use Upneeq?
Using Upneeq is similar to using any other eye drops. You simply administer one drop in each eye.
If you wear contact lenses, you should take them out before using Upneeq. Wait fifteen minutes after putting the eye drops in to put your contact lenses back in. For best results, you can close your eyes for about a minute after taking the eye drops to help the medication absorb fully.
The eye drops start to take effect 5 to 15 minutes after putting them in. The effects last for several hours, usually up to 6, allowing you to see life with beautifully open eyes.
Your eye doctor at Traverse City Eye will likely prescribe Upneeq to be used once daily. You can take the eye drops at any time of the day to maximize the time when you want your eyes to look their best.
While the effects of Upneeq are temporary, using them regularly is easy. They can help you regain some of your vision and look more rejuvenated!
Am I a Good Candidate for Upneeq?
Upneeq is appropriate for most people who have drooping upper eyelids. Drooping eyelids can affect both your vision and your self-confidence, as some people with sagging eyelids feel they look more tired or older than they are.
Upneeq can address both issues at the same time, expanding your world and allowing you to be more confident in your appearance and yourself!
Before prescribing Upneeq, your eye doctor will examine your eyes and review your medical history to ensure the medication is safe for you. Be sure to talk with your ophthalmologist and ask questions so you can be fully informed about all the possible side effects and risks associated with using Upneeq.
The medication is quite safe, but no medication is without any side effects or risks, so it’s important to know those risks before deciding to take any new medication. If you have drooping upper eyelids, have reasonable expectations about the results, and are willing to take eye drops once a day, Upneeq will likely be an excellent choice for you.
What are the Differences Between Upneeq and Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a more invasive treatment for drooping eyelids. It’s still low-risk and accomplishes the same goal as Upneeq, which is treating sagging upper and lower eyelids.
The effects of the procedure are also long-lasting, while Upneeq is a more temporary solution. The results for upper eyelid blepharoplasty tend to last up to seven years, and the results for lower eyelid blepharoplasty tend to last even longer, especially if you take good care of your skin.
Not everyone qualifies for blepharoplasty, however. You may not be suited for the procedure if you have eye conditions like glaucoma or dry eye, thyroid conditions, cardiovascular conditions, or diabetes.
If you are not suited for the procedure or want a less invasive treatment that doesn’t require surgery, Upneeq is a great alternative. It can provide many of the same effects as blepharoplasty without undergoing a procedure.
Want to learn more about Upneeq and explore options for treating drooping eyelids? Schedule an appointment with Traverse City Eye in Traverse City, MI, today!