Eyelid surgery is also called blepharoplasty. This involves removal of excess skin and/or fat from the upper or lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping or sagging upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes. Patients often complain that their eyes make them look older and more tired than they feel, and may even interfere with their vision. Eyelid surgery is a fairly quick and simple procedure which can be performed to help erase years off of a person's face.



Candidates suitable for eyelid surgery:

Blepharoplasty can enhance your looks and boost your self confidence, but there are limitations to the surgery.

1. The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy with excess skin and/or fat in their upper or lower eyelids that they wish to get rid of.

2. If droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at younger age.

Risks following the surgery:

When an eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. But there are risks involved with every surgery and these should be discussed with your plastic surgeon prior to your surgery date.

1. Some patients may experience double or blurred vision for a few days.

2. Temporary swelling and bruising may appear at the corner of the eyelids or below the eyes.

3. Following surgery, some patients may have temporary difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep.

4. A rare complication is called ectropion, a pulling down of the lower which require further surgery.

Pre-surgery planning:

The initial planning with your surgeon is very important. The surgeon will need your complete medical history. Be sure to inform your surgeon of any previous surgeries and all drug allergies. You should quit smoking at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Most insurance policies don't cover eyelid surgeries unless you can prove that the drooping upper lids interfere with your vision.

The surgery:

The surgery is usually done on an out patient basis and patients may return home following the procedure. Eyelid surgery is often performed under local anesthesia or monitored sedation.

Blepharoplasty may take anywhere from one to three hours. For this procedure, the surgeon makes incisions along the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in your lower lids.

If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don't need to have any skin removed, your surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelids, leaving no visible scar.

It is often performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.

Care after the surgery:

1. Your surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days.

2. Cold compresses are used to reduce swelling and bruising.

3. Your surgeon may recommend eye drops since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch.

4. For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing and sensitivity to light.

5. Temporary changes in your eyesight such as blurring or double vision can occur.

6. Once the stitches are removed the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside.