What’s eyelid surgery?
It’s natural for our eyelids to droop or sag as we age. Other people are born with droopy or saggy eyelids. Excess eyelid tissue can even impair the peripheral vision of others, making it hard for them to drive or read. Eventually, all these people may have something in common: Their desire to correct either the cosmetic or functional problems they have with their eyelids.
This can be done through a surgery called blephaloplasty. It’s a surgical procedure for removing the extra fat and skin that causes eyelid drooping and sagging. Blephaloplasty reshapes the upper and lower eyelids through the extraction of the excess tissue and the reinforcement of muscles and tendons around the eyelids.
Blephaloplasty is done for functional reasons: Droopy or saggy eyelids can impair vision because too much upper eyelid skin can hang over the eyelashes and physically get in the way of natural vision, especially peripheral vision. This can limit someone’s ability to drive or do other daily tasks like reading. So in this case, upper eyelid surgery may be the way to correct the problem.
Lower eyelid blephaloplasty is usually cosmetic. Droopy or sagging lower eyelids don’t exactly get in the way of vision, but some people find them unattractive. They don’t like the “bags” under their eyes.
How it’s performed: First the patient is given a local anesthesia where the incisions will be made. In fact, the patient is often awake during the procedure, though the surgery area will be completely numbed. In addition, the patient can also be given a medicine that calms anxiety, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Then the surgery: Incisions are made externally along the naturally occurring skin lines, such as the creases along the upper eyelids, or below the lashes of the lower eyelids. Then the surgeon closes the incision, according to the ASPS. This is done with either removable or absorbable stitches, skin adhesives, or surgical tape.
Look for a surgeon with at least five years of general surgical training, and at least two years practicing plastic surgery; who is trained in every kind of plastic surgery; who operates in a licensed medical facility; and who is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Who’s it for?
Those with excessive eyelid drooping that interferes with natural vision; those who wish to cosmetically correct what they consider to be unsightly drooping and sagging of the eyelids.
The Benefits and Risks
Blephaloplasty (eyelid surgery) doesn’t usually require a hospital stay. The surgery is done in the surgeon’s office or in an outpatient facility at a medical center.
It’s recognized that the results are, for the most part, permanent, and future surgeries aren’t needed to retain the results of the initial eyelid surgery.
Though initial swelling and bruising takes only a few weeks to heal, it really takes about six months to a year for the final results to appear.
And all potential eyelid surgery patients need to keep in mind the medical risks of this surgery. Double or blurred vision, uneven healing, bleeding, infection, dry eyes, abnormal skin discoloration around the eyes, eyelids folding abnormally, and an inability to fully close the eyes are some of the complications that could result from blephaloplasty.
Remember that many insurance carriers will cover eyelid surgery only if it is for functional – rather than cosmetic – reasons.
The Bottom Line
People elect to undergo eyelid surgery for functional and cosmetic reasons. Taking the time to learn about the procedure and the risks will help you decide if this surgery is right for you.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
