EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

AGEING SKIN

As a person ages, the skin surrounding the eyes tends to lose elasticity while the area under the eyes accumulates excess fat cells. This sometimes causes the face to appear bloated, giving it an older appearance. In severe cases, sagging skin can hinder normal eyesight.

WHAT IS BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that can restore a youthful appearance to the eye area. The upper and lower eyelids are lifted and excess fat cells or loosened skin is removed from the eye area. The procedure is limited to the eyelids and does not attempt to improve other areas of the face.

HOW IS BLEPHAROPLASTY PERFORMED?

There are several approaches to blepharoplasty:

1. Removes excess skin from either the upper or lower lid as well as the underlying fat pad when indicated. The surgeon makes an incision along the crease in the eyelid, peels back the skin and punctures the underlying tissue to remove the fat pad. The pad is then cauterised (heat sealed). Loose skin is removed from the exterior, if necessary, and the incision is sutured. The procedure takes about two hours and can be performed with local anaesthesia or under general anaesthesia. In some cases a short hospital stay may be required.
2. The second type of blepharoplasty procedure may benefit patients with protruding fat under the eye and not too much extra skin. This surgery is performed by entering just inside the lining of the lower eyelids. This approach eliminates the scar.
3. The third type of blepharoplasty may be performed with a laser instrument. The intense energy produced by the laser causes blood to coagulate, which may diminish bleeding and swelling during and after the operation. This is a relatively new procedure performed by a small number of physicians in a variety of specialties.

WHAT ARE THE POST-OPERATIVE EFFECTS?

The post-operative effects are minimal and temporary. Stitches are usually removed after five days. Minor swelling, bruising and discomfort should disappear within two weeks. Temporary blurred vision and excessive tear production may also occur. Cold compresses will help alleviate these side effects. Most patients will be able to return to work within 7-10 days.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS?

A "too tight" or uneven appearance can be caused by the removal of too much skin or uneven amounts of fat. Additional surgeries can usually reverse this problem. On rare occasions, bleeding behind the eye can cause blindness and may impose pressure on the eye, pushing it forward in the socket. Any surgery will produce scarring, although your surgeon will place incisions in natural skin creases and folds which will make any scarring as inconspicuous as possible.

YOUR NEW LOOK

A more youthful appearance will be achieved by removal of excess skin and bulging fat pads. Additional procedures may be required to achieve improvement of surrounding areas. These include laser resurfacing or chemical peeling for wrinkling, browlift for drooping eyebrows and facelift for sagging cheeks and neck. It is important to remember that a perfect result is not achievable as people are naturally asymmetrical and that the desired result is improvement not perfection.

Adherence to the information on this site will not ensure successful treatment in every situation and will not ensure specific results in the individual patient. Although complications may be rare, there are certain inherent risks connected with surgical procedures that should be discussed with the surgeon. This Website contains very general information and any procedures mentioned in it should be discussed in detail with your surgeon at the time of consultation.