Excess eyelid skin is a common problem for people as they get older. The blockage of ordinary vision that drooping eyelids cause can interfere with driving, reading, and other everyday activities; posing danger to the patient and to others. Their appearance can cause psychological damage as well. Fortunately, a treatment exists to remove excess eyelid skin and strengthen the connective tissue of the eyelids. It is called blepharoplasty, or, more simply, eyelid surgery.



Eyelid surgery comes in two varieties: upper- and lower-eyelid surgery. Upper eyelid surgery is designed to reduce the wrinkling of skin that can cause disfigurement and malfunction of the eye area ? drooping eyelids and the like. Lower lid surgery is strictly cosmetic in purpose, intended to remove the drooping ?bags? that can develop beneath each eye. In both cases, the delicate nature of the eyelid and surrounding skin make choosing an expert plastic surgeon a matter of critical importance.

The surgery itself is fairly simple: excess skin is cut away and the remaining skin sutured together. A non-surgical form of aesthetic eyelid treatment is also available ? a brief, painless and scar-free form of treatment most often used in cases where the volume of flesh between the lower eyelid and the cheek has moved or become sunken with age. In this procedure, injectable fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane are injected, restoring the appearance of fullness to the face, and with it a more youthful look. Afterward, some bruising and swelling can be expected, lasting up to ten days after surgery. Extensive rest and lack of pressure on the eye are necessary for full recovery; the use of eye makeup and contact lenses during the recovery period are not advisable. The effects of non-surgical blepharoplasty can last around one and one-half years.

As with all forms of surgery, complications from eyelid surgery ? although rare ? may result. Possible complications include bleeding, secondary infection, discoloration, misfolding of the eyelids, and inability to fully close the eyes may also occur. Bruising of the facial skin is also a common side effect of eyelid surgery, although with time these bruises will fade.

For these and other reasons, the possible risks of blepharoplasty should be thoroughly discussed with a licensed medical professional prior to making a decision. Your surgeon will be able to recommend the procedure best suited to your particular case, and walk you through the operation and recovery process.