Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

SURGERY FOR AGING EYELIDS

With age the skin of eyelids stretch and sag, muscles become weak and excess fat collects below your eyelids. This can cause sagging of eyebrows, drooping of upper lids and eye bags in lower eyelids. Baggy skin of upper eyelids can impair vision and decrease field of vision and make a person look older.

Blepharoplasty also called Eyelid surgery, corrects droopy eyelids by removing excess skin, muscle and fat. It repairs the sagging upper eyelids to improve vision as well as the appearance of the person. Removing this tissue can improve vision and make your eyes appear younger and more alert. It also corrects the baggy or puffy lower eyelids to give an alert and crisp look. The upper and lower eyelids are lifted and loose or excess skin and fat tissue are removed from the eye area. The procedure is limited to the eyelids and may be combined with methods to improve other areas of the face. Brow lifts, which raise the eyebrows or keep them from sagging over the eyes, may be recommended along with to help improve the upper third of the face.

Q: Who are the ideal candidates for Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery and how is it planned?

A: Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that can restore a youthful appearance to the eye area. People with sagging upper eyelids and puffy lower eyelids or with lower eyelid eye bags can be good candidates for this surgery. Patient should be physically healthy and have realistic expectations from the surgery. Eyelid surgery cannot remove dark circles and crowfeet lines around eyes that require other procedures like chemical peels and Botox. Person’s medical record is checked and eyes are checked for dry eyes, reduced tear production and lower eyelid laxity. Preoperative markings are made accurately to remove just the right amount of skin from upper and lower eyelids.

Q: How is Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery performed?

A: There are several approaches to blepharoplasty. One method removes excess skin from either the upper or lower lid, as well as the underlying fat pad when indicated. An incision is made along the crease in the upper eyelid and just below the eyelashes in case of lower eyelid surgery, the skin is separated gently from underlying structures, fat and muscle, and underlying tissue separated to remove the fat pad. The pad is then cauterized (heat sealed). Loose skin and/ or muscle is removed and incision is sutured with fine threads.

The second type of blepharoplasty procedure, Transconjuctival Blepharoplasty, may benefit patients with protruding fat and not too much extra skin. This surgery is performed by making an incision on the inside of lining of the lower eyelids. This approach eliminates the visible scar but does not remove excess skin. In alternative treatment options, Non-invasive radiofrequency treatments can tighten the crinkly skin on the lower lids. The advantages of radiofrequency treatments include no post-procedure downtime or recovery, single treatment, and minimal complications. The crowfeet lines around the corners of eyes can be treated with BOTOX injection treatment.