Blepharoplasty Or Eyelid Correction
No feature makes your face look older than aging of the eyes. Very popular for patients in India, Blepharoplasty is a procedure that can reverse the signs of aging in the upper and/or the lower lids. Upper lid Blepharoplasty is fairly straightforward, while lower lid Blepharoplasty is a more technically demanding procedure. For that reason, you should choose a Plastic & Cosmetic surgeon who is experienced in—and very comfortable with—all aspects of Blepharoplasty. Dr. Ashit Gupta, MD, MCh will guide you through the process of making your decision about eyelid surgery.
“Bleph” means eyelid and “plasty” means “moulded”. Therefore, put them together and you have moulding of the eyelids. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, is the surgical treatment of issues related to the shape or function of the eyelids.
Signs of Aging in the Upper Lids
Upper Lids: The Aesthetic Ideal
The upper lids should have a clean, crisp, and uniform crease height. There should be no hanging skin touching the lashes and the skin itself should ideally be smooth and wrinkle-free.
Upper Lids: Typical Signs of Aging
- Excess lid skin that hangs down, making the patient look older
- A patient describes themselves as having ‘droopy eyelids’
- The eyes looking sad, tired, or appearing angry
- Patients typically lose the appearance of a well-defined lid crease, and the lid skin may be wrinkled
- Patients find it difficult to apply eye makeup due to the excess skin
- In some cases, the excess skin causes upper visual field obstruction
- The appearance of bulging fat in the upper lid is common
- As patients continue to age, the upper areas of the eye tend to lose fat, resulting in a gaunt, aged appearance
Upper lid Blepharoplasty is a procedure that can reverse many signs of aging in the upper lids.
Signs of Aging in the Lower Lids
The lower lids should have a smooth appearance. The lid should blend seamlessly with the cheek, free of bulges or fat bags. The skin is ideally tight, and the lid margin should sit at, or be slightly above, the lower edge of the iris.
Lower Lids: Typical Signs of Aging
- The main culprits of lower lid aging are the ‘eye bags,’ which are composed of protruding fat and create a tired, worn-out appearance
- Crepe-like lower lid skin and fine wrinkles on the lower lid, which stem from loss of elasticity as a result of aging and sun exposure
- Dark circles are very common with lower lid aging. Dark circles are caused by shadows cast by the bulging fat or deeper pigmentation in the lower lid region
Lower lid Blepharoplasty is a procedure that can reverse many signs of aging in the lower lids.
The Surgery
Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. If you’re having all four eyelids done, your surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first, then the lower ones. In a typical procedure, incisions are made following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.
In a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, a tiny incision is made inside the lower eyelid and fat is removed with fine forceps. No skin is removed, and the incision is closed with dissolving sutures.
In order to achieve the best possible result, some patients require additional procedures to be performed at the same time as their eyelid surgery. Very wrinkly skin of the eyelids and wrinkles in the crows-feet area may require lasering of the lower eyelid skin. Some patients with very droopy upper eyelids may have a problem with droopy eyebrows. If the droopiness of the upper eyelid is due to sagging of the eyebrow, then a brow lift may be necessary. A brow lifts or lasering of the skin may be performed at the same time as an eyelid lift if necessary. Newer techniques, such as endoscopic brow lift, allow this procedure to be performed with minimal incisions.
Are there any risks or complications associated with blepharoplasty?
Like any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty carries potential risks and complications. These can include infection, bleeding, scarring, dry eyes, temporary or permanent changes in eyelid sensation, asymmetry, difficulty closing the eyes completely, and changes in vision. It’s important to discuss the potential risks with your plastic surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions to minimize the chances of complications.
Blepharoplasty Or Eyelid Correction – Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Ashit Gupta will make sure that you are a suitable candidate for surgery at the time of your consultation. Anyone with signs of aging in the upper and/or lower lids may benefit from Blepharoplasty. Patients should be generally healthy and relatively fit. Smokers should quit smoking at least 2 weeks prior to surgery and not resume for at least 6 weeks. You should let Dr. Ashit Gupta know if you have issues with dry eyes or thyroid problems, as these medical issues may affect your procedure.
Although it can produce beautiful results on its own, blepharoplasty is often performed in conjunction with other procedures for a more profound result. Typical pairings include endoscopic brow lift, facelift and neck lift, and micro fat grafting.
The exact recovery time needed varies from patient to patient, but Dr. Ashit Gupta usually recommends taking at least a week off after eyelid surgery. Of course, the nature of your job will also be a factor in determining the amount of time off needed. If your occupation involves strenuous activity, you may need to extend your time off by an additional week.
Lower blepharoplasty can be an appropriate treatment for patients concerned about dark circles, but it depends on the cause. Sometimes large bags or hollowness in the area of the tear trough creates shadows, an issue that can be improved by repositioning fat during blepharoplasty. However, surgery cannot address dark circles caused by excessive pigmentation, thin skin, or allergies.
Blepharoplasty is designed for patients who have saggy or wrinkled upper and/or lower eyelids.
Eyelid lift surgery is not painful since the procedure is performed under local, anaesthesia. After surgery, there may be some discomfort that can be alleviated with prescribed pain medication.
The specific technique used in blepharoplasty will depend on the individual’s needs and desired outcomes. In general, incisions are made along the natural creases of the eyelids to minimize visible scarring. Excess skin, fat, and muscle are then carefully removed or repositioned, and the incisions are closed with fine sutures. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia.
The recovery process after blepharoplasty varies for each individual, but generally, there is some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in the treated area for a few days to a week. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication and provide specific post-operative instructions, such as applying cold compresses, keeping your head elevated, and avoiding certain activities. It’s important to attend follow-up appointments and give yourself time to heal fully.
Like any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty carries potential risks and complications. These can include infection, bleeding, scarring, dry eyes, temporary or permanent changes in eyelid sensation, asymmetry, difficulty closing the eyes completely, and changes in vision. It’s important to discuss the potential risks with your plastic surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions to minimize the chances of complications.
The results of blepharoplasty are generally long-lasting, but it’s important to note that the natural aging process will continue. While the procedure can remove excess skin and fat, it cannot prevent further aging or the formation of new wrinkles or sagging. However, many individuals enjoy the benefits of blepharoplasty for many years, and the procedure can provide a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
In some cases, excess skin on the upper eyelids can obstruct vision. Blepharoplasty can remove this excess skin, improving the field of vision and allowing individuals to see more clearly. However, it’s important to note that not all vision issues are related to excess eyelid skin, and a comprehensive evaluation by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist may be necessary to determine the cause of vision problems.