Blepharoplasty


Stop hiding your look with Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is intended to improve the appearance of the eyes and/or improve visual impairment. Puffiness, drooping and fine lines around the eyes are often caused by excess fat or skin in the orbital area, around the eye sockets. This results in a tired appearance and possibly even difficulty seeing as excess skin creates “hooding” over the eyes. The goal of Blepharoplasty is to improve eyelid contour, tighten the skin and create a smoother, more refreshed appearance.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty Surgery?

The provider will examine all patients’ eyes to look for ophthalmic issues that may complicate surgery. Some of these conditions would be dry eye, blepharitis or poor closure of the eyelids. The health of your eyes is incredibly important, especially when undertaking eyelid surgery.

The provider will examine the eyelids, and show you what you can expect from the surgery. He can show you an approximation of what the eyelids will look like.

If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for an upper lid blepharoplasty, the best way to know is to come to a consultation.

What to Expect from Blepharoplasty Surgery?

Blepharoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure lasting between one to three hours. Normally you will be given local anesthesia. That means you will be sedated and the area around the surgery will be numbed. You are awake during the surgery, but relaxed and feeling no pain.

The incisions for eyelids are usually made through the central portion or about 1/16th of an inch below the rim of the lower eyelid. A segment of skin is removed along with portions of fat and muscle underneath the skin. Again, the procedure involves removing skin, fat and muscle.

Risks

All surgery includes some risk and uncertainty. Serious complications or side effects of this surgery are quite rare, but they include:

  • Possibility of infection
  • Drying of the eyes
  • Reaction to the anesthesia

You may also have difficulty closing your eyes when you sleep. (In rare cases this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids, which can be corrected with further surgery.)

Blepharoplasty Recovery

After surgery, your eyelid may feel tight and sore. Your eye may be watery, dry, sticky, itchy, or sensitive to light. Your vision may be blurry for a few days. Your doctor will give you medicines to help with pain and discomfort.

It is important to keep your eyelid clean and to avoid rubbing it. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to clean and care for your eye.

Your stitches may dissolve on their own. Or your doctor may remove them 3 to 5 days after surgery. Your eyelid may be swollen and bruised for 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. The appearance of your eye may continue to get better for 1 to 3 months.

Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work in about 10 to 14 days. This may depend on your job and how you feel about people knowing about your surgery. Even after 2 weeks, you may still have some bruising around your eyes.