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Aging Eyelids 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 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 to help improve the upper third of the face.
How is Blepharoplasty Performed?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. 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 cauterized (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 anesthesia on an outpatient basis. 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 visible scar but does not remove excess skin. 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 approach that is gaining widespread acceptance.
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. Cold compresses will help alleviate these side effects.
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 very rare occasions, bleeding behind the eye can impose pressure on the eye, pushing it forward in the socket. If not corrected by the surgeon, vision loss could result.
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