What is blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty is common procedure which removes excess skin and muscle from your upper and/or lower eyelids to tighten the skin and soft tissues around your eyelids. The procedure may also involve the removal and/or repositioning of the underlying fat pads which surround the eye to form a more youthful appearance. Blepharoplasty is often considered a cosmetic surgery but, in many cases, it also provides a functional benefit to vision.
Why would someone need a blepharoplasty?
The most common reason for undergoing a blepharoplasty is to reverse a tired look to the eyes by creating a more youthful, alert appearance. Genetic factors or advancing age can cause droopy or sagging eyelids, which prevent the eyes from opening completely or pull down the lower lids, giving a fatigued look. In other cases, undergoing a blepharoplasty can improve a person’s peripheral field of vision especially in the upper and outer parts which can often be restricted by overhanging excess skin.
What happens during and after blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty can be carried out under local anaesthetic injected into the eyelids or under a general anaesthetic. The procedure takes two hours, or three and a half hours if both upper and lower eyelid are done together.
Your consultant will make an incision along the natural skin crease in your upper eyelid and/or, for your lower lids, below your eyelashes in your natural skin crease or inside the lower eyelid. The excess skin, muscle and fat is removed or redistributed, and the wound is closed using very fine stitches. The scar is hidden from sight within the natural skin crease of your eye.
Following a blepharoplasty, your vision may be temporarily blurred due to ointments which have been placed in your eyes. You may also experience some irritation in your eye, some watery eye, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort and bruising, swelling and numbness around your eyes for a period of time.
Bruising and swelling following a blepharoplasty usually subside about 10 to 14 days following surgery. Scars from the surgical cuts may take months to fade but due to the placement of the incisions these are usually hidden from sight.
Results
Most people are delighted with the results of blepharoplasty which yield a more rested and youthful appearance. The results of blepharoplasty can last for years however your eyes will still age with you following the procedure.