Eye Surgery

Eye lid surgery (also called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. As people age, the skin around the eyelids stretches, muscles begin to weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes. This can cause bags above and below the eyes. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes, that make you look older and more tired than youreally are. Saggy upper eyelids can also interfere with your vision.

Eyelid surgery won't remove wrinkles, such as crow's feet, lift sagging eyebrows, or eliminate dark circles under your eyes. Blepharoplasty can be done as it's own surgery, or to enhance other facial surgery you are having done, such as a browlift or facelift.

Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about what you expect and discuss your concerns with your surgeon. The best patients for eyelid surgery are men and women who are healthy, psychologically stable, and have realistic expectations. Most are over 35, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may elect to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

There are some medical conditions that add to the risk of blepharoplasty. They include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, or other circulatory disorders, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for concern. Visit your ophthalmologist for an evaluation before you have surgery.

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications from eyelid surgery are infrequent and usually minor. However, there is always a risk of possible complications, including infection or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery. The temporary minor complications that occasionally follow blepharoplasty include temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids; double vision or blurred vision for a few days; and a slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out; your surgeon can remove them easily with a very fine needle.

Some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep after surgery, this condition could be permanent, but is that is very rare. Ectropion is another very rare complication. Ectropion is a pulling down of the lower eyelids. Additional surgery may be required in this case..

You should discuss your compatibility, goals and expectations form eyelid surgery with you plastic surgeon. You'll need to decide together if it would be best to do all four eyelids, just the upper lids, or just lower lids. He or she will discuss with you whether skin as well as fat will be removed, and whether any additional procedures are appropriate. During your consultation, the surgeon or a nurse will test your vision and assess your tear production. You should also provide the records of your most recent eye exam or any relevant information from your ophthalmologist. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will need to bring them along.

Your cosmetic surgeon will explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use, what type of facility the surgery will be performed in, as well as the risks and costs involved. You will also want to check with your health insurance comapny on whether the surgery will be covered or not. Most companies won't cover it unless you can prove that your vision is impaired form drooping eyelids.