Virginia has 11 fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeons listed on EyePlastics, 1 of whom list ptosis repair (droopy eyelid surgery) among their procedures. Every surgeon here completed an ophthalmology residency followed by an accredited fellowship in eyelid, orbital and lacrimal surgery; all are ASOPRS members. Ptosis (TOE-sis) is drooping of the upper eyelid caused by weakness or dysfunction of the levator muscle — the muscle responsible for lifting the upper eyelid. It can affect one or both eyes and may be present from birth (congenital) or develop over time (acquired).
"Lists ptosis" marks the surgeons who name it among their procedures; every listed surgeon is fellowship-trained in eyelid, orbital and lacrimal surgery.
William Bearden
MD, FACS
The Aesthetic Center at Virginia Eye Institute
📍 Richmond, VA
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Kristen Dunbar
MD
📍 Fairfax, VA
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James Gigantelli
MD
University of Virginia
📍 Charlottesville, VA
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Maria Kirzhner
MD
Oculofacial surgery and aesthetics
📍 Charlottesville, VA
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Nicole Langelier
MD
Virginia Eye Institute
📍 Richmond, VA
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Tamer Mansour
MD
George Washington University
📍 Mclean, VA
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Viraj Mehta
MD, MBA
See Clearly Vision
📍 McLean, VA
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Maryam Nazemzadeh
MD
The Naz Experience
📍 Tysons, VA
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Nicholas Ramey
MD
Vistar Eye Center
📍 Roanoke, VA
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Marc Shields
MD
Augusta Eye Associates P.L.C.
📍 Staunton, VA
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Dimitrios Sismanis
MD
Virginia Oculofacial Surgeons
📍 Richmond, VA
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Ptosis is caused by levator muscle weakness and requires surgical repair of the muscle itself. Blepharoplasty addresses excess skin overlying the eyelid. Both conditions can cause drooping or hooding, and they often occur together. Only an oculoplastic surgeon can reliably distinguish them and perform the correct procedure.
Yes — ptosis repair is typically covered by health insurance when the drooping eyelid causes functional visual field obstruction, documented by a formal visual field test with the eyelid in its resting position.
Look for three things on any Virginia surgeon's profile: an accredited oculoplastic fellowship (ASOPRS is the recognised US credential), board certification in ophthalmology, and current hospital or surgery-centre privileges. Then ask how many of this specific procedure the surgeon performs a year and to see before-and-after photographs of similar cases.
Ptosis guide · Ptosis surgery & insurance · What eyelid surgery costs · Financing options