Mayor Thomas Menino will undergo droopy eyelid surgery - The Capitol Column

Boston mayor Thomas Menino is going under the knife today, ABC News reports. Mr. Menino will have surgery to correct his drooping eyelids, a condition properly known as dehiscence ptosis. The condition is caused by upper eyelid tendons stretching over time and often occurs in aging individuals.

Mr. Menino’s condition impaired his vision because the tendons were so stretched. The ophthalmologist who will perform the surgery, Dr. Mami Iwamoto, told the Boston Globe that dehiscence ptosis is like “looking out a porthole with a shade down.”

The drooping is so severe, it cuts off vision above the middle of his pupils. Mr. Menino’s eyelid tendons will be tightened and restrung to lift his eyelids, making it easier for him to see.

His spokeswoman Dot Joyce told the Boston Herald that the condition has caused Mr. Menino serious eye strain in addition to limiting his vision.

Most patients remain awake for blepharoplasty, and Mr. Menino will not be unconscious at any point during the procedure. Swelling and bruising are common after surgeries to correct dehiscence ptosis, and the mayor is not expected to be seen in public until the effects subside, though the Boston Herald reports that he will continue to work during this period.

It is common for aging people to experience drooping eyelids, and it is possible to receive the surgery to enhance their appearance. However, Dr. Iwamoto said the surgery was not for cosmetic reasons. “The need for a correction is definitely driven by a medical need, not aesthetics,” she said.

The Boston Globe reports that since becoming mayor in 1993, Mr. Menino has undergone nearly a dozen medical procedures. These include several treatments for kidney stones, multiple knee surgeries, tumor removal and several hospital stays for intestinal issues.

Mr. Menino has been criticized recently for his stance on Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s comments opposing gay marriage. Mr. Menino vocally opposed Mr. Cathy’s views, and asked the company to “back out” of a bid to open in Boston, according to the Boston Herald.

He has been criticized by other politicians, like New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Senator Scott Brown, who accused him of “trampling” the rights of companies to operate in the Boston area.