Eyelid Surgery

 

Eyes are the window to the soul.  They express your feelings, reflecting disapproval, interest, affection and most noticeably, the signs of aging.  When that aging occurs we often send out an image that we do not mean to send.  For instance, sagging of the upper lids or bagginess of the lower lids reflects an image of fatigue and disinterest.  It may also add years to your face as well as obstructing your vision.

 

Signs of Aging

 

Almost everyone develops some aging around his or her eyes.  Loose excess skin, weak muscles or a combination of both causes sagging of the upper lids.  Every time you blink, the skin and muscles of your upper eyelids stretch a bit.  Repeated stretching causes the skin and muscles of the upper eyelid to get longer.  A fold may even develop as the skin bulges outward and hangs over the lid.  Bags develop under the eyes with age, but even young people may have this problem.  Our eyes are surrounded by a protective layer of fatty tissue encased by a membrane that holds the fatty tissue tightly in place.  As we age, this membrane weakens, allowing the fatty tissue to slip downward.  Skin and muscle are stretched by the protruding tissue, giving a tired appearance.  Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty can give you a brighter, more youthful appearance.

 

The Procedure

 

Blepharoplasty can be performed in your doctor’s office, an outpatient surgical facility or a hospital.  It is generally performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation but can be performed under general anesthesia.  Incisions in the eyelid are usually placed in the crease above each eye to correct problems of the upper eyelid.  To remove the fatty deposits beneath the eyes, the incisions are placed just inside the lower eyelid.  After the fat is removed the incisions are closed with tiny absorbable sutures.  When excess skin and muscle needs to be removed from the lower lids, the incisions are placed in the natural smile crease below the lash line.  The procedure can take between one and two hours, depending on the extent of your surgery.

 

What is Recovery like?

 

The incisions heal quickly because of the generous blood supply in the area, but your eyelids may be somewhat swollen.  However, most of the swelling and discoloration subside after a few days.  It may help to wear dark glasses for a few days to remind you not to touch your eyelids.  If you wear contact lenses, you must wait two or three weeks after surgery to wear them.  Most people are able to resume their normal activities about a week after surgery.