What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is surgical modification of the eyelid. Excess tissue such as skin and fat are removed or repositioned, and surrounding muscles and tendons may be reinforced. It can be both a functional and cosmetic surgery.
It can be performed at the same time as another procedure, such as a brow lift, face-lift or skin resurfacing.
The Eyelid Aging Process:
- As skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity. A lack of elasticity plus the constant pull from gravity causes excessive skin to collect on the upper and lower eyelids.
- Excess skin on the lower eyelid causes wrinkles and bulges. On the upper eyelids, an extra fold of skin can hang over the eyelashes and get in the way of seeing.
- The fat that cushions the eyeball from the skull can also cause bulges in the upper and lower eyelids. The thin membrane that holds the fat in place weakens with age, letting the fat jut into the lids.
Indications:
- Blepharoplasty is often done as an elective surgery for cosmetic reasons.
- Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is almost always done for cosmetic reasons, to improve puffy lower eyelid “bags” and reduce the wrinkling of skin.
- Asian blepharoplasty or double eyelid surgery is a special type of blepharoplasty that creates a crease in the upper eyelid.
- Blepharoplasty is sometimes needed for functional reasons. When an advanced amount of upper eyelid skin is present, the skin may protrude over the eyelashes and causes a loss of peripheral vision.
Good candidates for Blepharoplasty:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing.
- Non-smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for Blepharoplasty
- Individuals without serious eye conditions
Procedure:
Blepharoplasty is usually performed through external incisions made along the natural skin lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids. External skin resurfacing with a chemical peel or carbon dioxide laser may be performed simultaneously. This allows for a faster recovery process. Upper eyelid surgery can last at least five to seven years. Lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated.
Eyelid surgery does not remove wrinkles around the eyes, lift sagging eyebrows, or eliminate dark circles under the eyes.
Benefits:
- Upper eyelid surgery can remove excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids.
- Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision, can be treated by eyelid lift surgery.
- Lower eyelid Blepharoplasty can remove excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid.
- Correction of under eye bags
- Lower eyelid surgery can correct droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye).
