Cosmetic eyelid surgery

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as Blepharoplasty is a procedure designed to remove excess fat, skin or muscle from the eyelids. As you age fatty tissue may accumulate under your skin making your eyes look older. Eyelid surgery can improve drooping eyelashes, baggy skin under the eye and sinking upper eyelids.

The Procedure

Before your procedure your surgeon will take you through the workings of the procedure, the aftercare requirements and any risks involved. If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma or hyperthyroidism then you may be excluded from treatment.

The surgery is usually performed under general anesthetic, meaning you will be unconscious throughout. The procedure involves your surgeon making an incision in the creases of the upper eyelid and, in some cases, removing the outer lower rim of the eye's skin. Although mainly used for cosmetic purposes, in some cases excess skin can impair your sight and eyelid surgery can be performed in order to improve peripheral vision. Fat can be repositioned or removed and muscle will be tightened or reduced. Eyelid surgery can help you achieve a more youthful look by removing puffiness, bags and stretched skin. Eyelid surgery cannot be used on crow's feet or shadows around your eyes, so you may require additional treatments to deal with these.

Aftercare

Immediately following surgery your eyes are usually lubricated and covered with bandages. Patients usually experience light sensitivity, swelling, blurred vision, itching and dry eyes. It's usual to be prescribed medication to deal with pain and antibiotics to help prevent infection. It's typically recommended that you don't drink any alcohol, wear contact lenses or makeup for several days afterwards. You will receive additional instructions on how to properly clean your eyes and the correct way to use your eye drops. Stitches are usually removed around a week after surgery and if you are still experiencing any bruising and swelling then this should decrease quickly. You may also be required to wear sunblock and sunglasses for several days after the procedure.Overall, recovery takes about a month however most patients are able to return to work within two weeks.

Risks

As with all surgical procedures, eyelid surgery is not without its risks. In rare cases there can be an adverse reaction to anesthesia and a risk of infection developing. Some who have undergone the treatment find they have difficulty closing their eyes when sleeping and although rare, in some cases this complication can last for long periods or even become permanent. You can help to promote healing by following aftercare advice and maintaining a healthy diet. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs shouldn't be taken for a couple of weeks prior to surgery as they may affect your body's blood clotting system. Similarly, smoking can affect your blood vessels and may result in a reduced blood supply to certain body tissues. Therefore it's usually recommended that you don't smoke for at least two months before the procedure.