Festoons of Orbicularis Muscle as a Cause of Baggy Eyelids

Occasionally, baggy eyelids are caused by a laxity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The extent of these orbicularis festoons is evaluated by a careful examination--including the "squinch" and the "pinch" tests. We excise such festoons of excess muscle and then support the orbicularis oculi of the lower lid by using periosteal and muscular sutures. (Orbicularis plication is an alternate procedure for the lower lid). Any muscle festoons of the upper lid are simply excised.