Eyelid
Surgery
What
is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid
surgery – also called blepharoplasty
– is the procedure by which
skin, fat, and muscle are removed
or repositioned in order to relieve
a baggy look in the eyelids. The surgery
is typically performed on older patients
who have developed a large amount
of excess skin in the area.
Who
is an eyelid surgery candidate?
As
is the case with most cosmetic
surgery, a candidate for eyelid
surgery should be physically healthy
and psychologically stable. The candidate
should also develop an understanding
of the procedure so that his or her
expectations are realistic.
Older
people undergo eyelid surgery most
frequently; blepharoplasty patients
under thirty years of age are rare
simply because they do not tend to
have baggy or droopy eyelids. However,
heredity can cause some people to
develop these eyelid characteristics
at an early age.
Patients
most commonly seek blepharoplasty
on the upper eyelids when they droop,
impairing vision or making them look
older than they are. Lower blepharoplasty
is a means for correcting the tired
look from bags or puffiness under
the eyes.
There
are health conditions that preclude
some patients from having eyelid
surgery. These conditions include
thyroid problems, insufficient tear
production, disorders of the circulatory
system, diabetes, and cardiovascular
diseases. A good blepharoplasty surgeon
can decide how a patient’s circumstances
affect candidacy for the surgery.
How
is eyelid surgery performed?
The
first step in eyelid surgery is a
consultation with a qualified eye
surgeon. The surgeon will inspect
the patient’s eyes and eyelids
to make sure that it is safe to operate.
The patient will also be instructed
on how to restrict his or her diet,
vitamin and medicine intake, and smoking
in the weeks leading up to eyelid
surgery.
Blepharoplasty
is almost always performed as an outpatient
procedure. Because of the small area
of operation, the surgeon will typically
have a local anesthetic administered
in conjunction with a general sedative,
though he or she may choose a general
anesthetic instead.
Surgery
may be performed on the upper and/or
lower eyelids. In upper blepharoplasty,
the surgeon makes incisions in the
natural horizontal creases on the
outside of the eyelids. Following
the contours of the eyelids makes
the incisions less conspicuous. The
surgeon then removes excess fat, skin,
and possibly muscle from the eyelid.
When the surgery is finished, the
incisions are sewn up.
The
primary goal of lower blepharoplasty
is to remove the fat deposits that
collect as people age. This may be
accomplished fairly simply through
transconjunctival blepharoplasty,
where the incision is made on the
inside of the eyelid. Only fat is
removed, and the incision is sewn
up with stitches that dissolve. If
the muscles need to be adjusted or
skin needs to be removed, then the
surgeon will have to make the incisions
on the outside of the eyelid, usually
just under the lashes.
What
is recovery like?
Recovery
from eyelid surgery is usually fairly
painless. The following are some of
the most common after effects:
- Tightness or discomfort around
the eyes
- Swelling
- Bruises (which usually clear up
in a few weeks)
- Gummy sensation in the eyes
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Excess or reduced tears
The
surgeon usually suggests ways to alleviate
these problems. Elevating the head
or applying cold compresses can reduce
swelling. After a few weeks, it should
be hardly noticeable. The surgeon
should also instruct the patient on
how to clean the eyes when they become
gummy. Patients may be prescribed
moisturizing eye drops, and they may
choose to wear sunglasses to protect
the eyes. Avoiding strenuous movements
for a few weeks will prevent any problems
with the stitches until they are pulled.
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