Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Cosmetic Surgery

Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic plastic surgery to remove excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty cosmetic surgery improves baggy skin under the eyes, sinking upper eyelids, or drooping eye lashes that obstruct vision. The surgery may also be performed to treat a medical condition called ptosis (drooping eyelid), which is caused by poor muscle tone or nerve damage. Ptosis causes the eyelids to hang very low and block vision. The droop may be barely noticeable, or the lid can descend over the entire pupil. Ptosis can occur in both children and adults but most often occurrence due to aging.

Blepharoplasty treats drooping eyelids, but not drooping eyebrows or wrinkles. Blepharoplasty is often performed with another cosmetic surgery such as a brow lift or face lift to improve droopy eyebrows, crow's feet, and facial sagging.

Aesthetic Eyelid surgery is performed on adults of all ages. Some people have Eyelid surgery to correct problems that are a result of aging, while others have inherited traits that cause them to seek treatment as early as their 20s or 30s.

Excess skin forms in the eye area and the skin loses elasticity as we age. Tissue diseases that cause skin to hang in folds are associated with less-than-normal elastic tissue formation. Fatty tissue can accumulate under the skin. Your eyes will "look older" because these aging processes leave the eyes appearing tired, wrinkled, or puffy. Even with a good skincare and eye care regimen, wrinkles, puffiness, and drooping eyelids will catch up to you. Genetic factors and body chemistry can cause these aging effects in younger people. Plastic surgery may restore a youthful and refreshed appearance to your eyes.

The best candidates for blepharoplasty are physically healthy, emotionally stable, and well-informed about the procedure. Ideal candidates are typically at least 35 (except abnormal genetic factors in younger patients). Those who suffer from any of the following conditions: dry eye, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or Graves' disease may not be candidates. Personal anatomy impairs, including bone and supporting structure, may also affect your candidacy.

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

Surgeon made incisions along the line creases of the upper eyelid and possibly along the outer lower rim of the eye's skin. When removing fatty tissue, but not skin, the surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty with an incision inside the lower rim of the eye's skin. These incisions often reach the outer corners of the eyes. The surgeon then separates the fatty tissue and muscle from the skin so that excess skin, fat, or muscle can be removed.

The blepharoplasty procedure is often performed under local anesthesia — while you are sedated, numbed, but awake — in an outpatient surgery center, surgeon's office, or hospital. General anesthesia (while you are asleep) may be used. Be sure to discuss the appropriate type of anesthesia with your doctor and the anesthesia provider. Depending upon the number of eyelids and extent of the procedure, time in surgery may be up to three hours. Patients return home typically within hours of the surgery.

After Blepharoplasty Surgery

The eyes will often be lubricated and covered with bandages after surgery. Pain and discomfort can be managed with oral medications. The doctor will also prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection. The doctor will give you a list of instructions to follow for several days, including

the proper way to clean your eyes
use of cold compresses
use of lubricating eye drops
head elevation
no makeup
no alcohol
no television
no contact lenses

Stitches are removed about a week after surgery. Bruising and swelling will continue to decrease after stitches are removed. Sunglasses and a protective sun block are required for several weeks. Normal activities can be resumed after about ten days. Strenuous activities such as lifting, bending, or exercise can be resumed after about three weeks.

Following surgery, patients may experience tearing, itchy, burning eyes, dry eye, light sensitivity, and blurred or double vision, which can persist for several days. These symptoms can be relieved with lubricating eye drops. Swelling around the eyes and scarring may be another possible complication. Sometimes patients will have difficulty closing their eyes when asleep.