Blepharoplasty

Every year, 100,000 men and women choose eyelid surgery to improve the way they look. Droopy upper eyelids can make you look older and may also impair vision. Upper blepharoplasty corrects these problems. Lower blepharoplasty removes puffiness and bags under the eyes that make you look worn and tired. Blepharoplasty may be done alone, or in conjunction with a brow lift, face-lift, or skin resurfacing.

Is Blepharoplasty For You?

As with all oculoplastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Blepharoplasty removes the excess fat, muscle, and skin from either or both upper and lower lids. The results can be a refreshed appearance, with a younger, firmer eye area. People with circulatory, eye, or serious medical conditions must discuss with the surgeon to determine whether blepharoplasty is an option to consider.

Making The Decision For Blepharoplasty

During the pre-surgical consultation, you will be examined for vision, tear production, and your desires and expectations for surgery. Your surgeon will weigh in factors including age, skin type, ethnic background, and degree of vision obstruction. Significant visual field obstruction from droopy eyelids can be considered a “functional” medical problem and the procedure may be paid by insurance. Understanding The Surgery In upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon makes the incision along the natural fold of the eye in order to keep the scars as invisible as possible. The incision is made, and excess fat, muscle, and loose skin are removed. Fine sutures are used to close the incisions, thereby minimizing the visibility of any scar.

In lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon makes the incision along the lashline and smile creases of the lower lid. Excess fat, muscle, and skin are then trimmed away before the incision is closed with fine sutures. Eyelid puffiness caused primarily by excess fat may also be corrected by a transconjunctival blepharoplasty (incisionmade inside the lower eyelid). Under normal conditions, blepharoplasty can take from 30 minutes to two hours.

What To Expect After The Surgery

Immediately after the surgery has been completed, your surgeon may apply ointment to your incisions. A certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal. Cold compresses, as well as head elevation when lying down, will enhance healing and relieve discomfort. Notify your surgeon right away for excess pain, or change in your vision.

For 10 days following blepharoplasty, you will carefully clean the eye area (the eyes may feel sticky, dry, and itchy). Permanent stitches will be removed in five to ten days after surgery. Self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their own.

By changing how you look, oculoplastic surgery can help change how you feel about yourself. Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is done purely for cosmetic reasons. Surgery to correct or improve vision or surgery for eye deformity or injury may be reimbursable by insurance.