Eyelid Surgery
Facial aging occurs in two major areas of the face: the lower third and the upper two-thirds. Most upper facial aging is localized around the eyes in the form of sagging upper eyelids, puffy lower eyelids, and wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes. Men and women with eyelid laxity often find that it significantly ages their facial appearance. Eyelid surgery is designed to treat eyelid laxity and poor fat distribution to restore a brighter, more youthful appearance.
Candidates
Patients seeking eyelid surgery should be in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. Eyelid surgery can significantly improve the overall elasticity of the eyelids. Both men and women can benefit from eyelid surgery if they suffer from one or more of the following:
- Drooping eyelids that impair vision
- Sagging lids that create a fatigued expression
- Lack of a defined eyelid
- Under-eye puffiness
- Fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes
Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Eyelid surgery is commonly performed with the patient under general anesthesia, which ensures a safe and painless procedure. Your eyelid surgery may target only the upper lids, only the lower lids, or both. Fine incisions are placed in the natural creases. Skin, fat, and muscles are removed or redistributed to achieve a firmer, more youthful eye appearance.
- Upper Blepharoplasty
- Lower Blepharoplasty
- Fillers for Wrinkles
Upper Blepharoplasty
When treating the upper eyelids, an incision is created along the natural crease of the upper lid. Excess skin is removed, and the remaining tissue is lifted. Upper blepharoplasty requires a keen eye for detail because removing too much tissue can produce results that look unnatural.
Lower Blepharoplasty
- Traditional lower blepharoplasty uses incisions placed just below the lower eyelashes, through which skin and fat can be removed or repositioned. The lower eyelid muscles can be tightened as well.
- The transconjunctival approach places the incisions inside the eyelid to mask any potential scarring and is used to remove excess fat or reposition displaced fat.
- The skin pinch technique removes only excess skin from under the eyes and is ideal for patients with otherwise strong eyelid support.
Fillers for Wrinkles
Patients with wrinkles at the corners of the eyes or creases below the eyes can choose to combine filler treatment with their surgery. Dermal fillers stimulate collagen production in areas with volume loss to smooth wrinkles and plump the skin. For many patients, fillers help them achieve their ideal results.
Recovery and Results
Recovery
You will experience some bruising and swelling around the eyes following your surgery. Cold applications such as ice packs may be used to minimize swelling. Your eyes will likely be puffy and feel numb for several days following your surgery. Oral pain medication can be used to control any discomfort you may have.
Most patients can return to work within two weeks of their surgery. During this time, dark tinted sunglasses should be worn to protect your eyes from sun exposure. You can resume all normal activities around four weeks postop. Most major swelling should subside within six weeks.
Results
Your incisions may be visible at first, but as swelling subsides, they should blend into the natural creases of your eyelids. Visible scarring that does persist is likely to fade over time. Eyelid surgery is designed to achieve results that last for years, but it does not prevent the natural aging process from continuing. Routine non-surgical treatments may be used to prolong the quality of your results.