Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that corrects drooping of the upper eyelid and puffiness around the eyes. You may hear this procedure called an eyelid lift or blepharoplasty.
Eyelid surgery is typically performed to treat a condition called dermatochalasis – excess skin of the upper or lower eyelid. This procedure will not correct crow’s feet, dark circles around the eyes or drooping brows. If you are also interested in a brow lift or facelift, these procedures can be performed together with your eyelid surgery.
The Right Candidates for Blepharoplasty
Most patients who choose to undergo eyelid surgery are over 35 years of age. For many of them, droopy eyelids and eye bags are a hereditary condition. Any adult that exhibits these conditions may be a candidate:- excess upper eyelid skin
- drooping upper eyelids
- stretched eyelid skin
- puffy bags below the eyes
The Procedure: How Eyelid Surgery Works
Eyelid surgery requires about 1 to 3 hours of operating time. You begin with a consultation where you may undergo a vision test or be referred to your opthalmologist. Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure, typically performed under local anesthesia. Incisions are placed in the natural crease of your upper eyelids. On the lower eyelid, the incision is placed below the lashes or inside the lower lid (the transconjunctivital technique). Fat, skin and sometimes muscle tissue is removed conservatively. Fine sutures are used to close the incisions.After Eyelid Surgery: What to Expect
Recovery from eyelid surgery is about 10 days. After surgery, Dr. Rosen may lubricate the eyes with special ointment and apply a bandage. Your eyelids will probably feel tight and sore as the effects of anesthesia subside. Medications can help control discomfort. You will be advised to keep your head elevated, using cold compresses to control swelling and bruising. It will be 2 weeks before contact lenses can be worn and 3 weeks before exercise can be resumed.Possible Complications of Eyelid Surgery
Side effects of eyelid surgery include bruising (which peaks during the first week and gradually subsides), excessive tearing, light sensitivity and blurry vision. Possible complications include but are not limited to infection, bleeding, swelling, dry eyes, formation of whiteheads, asymmetry, functional problems of the eyelids and blindness (extremely rare).Eyelid Surgery Alternatives
There are alternatives to blepharoplasty if you do not wish to undergo surgery. For some people, hollowness below the eye creates the illusion of puffiness or eye bags. Using a wrinkle filler, a cosmetic surgeon can augment the contour of this area to correct the problem.If you are near Doylestown, Pennsylvania and considering eyelid surgery, contact Rosen Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a personal consultation.
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