Eye Rejuvenation

Blepharoplasty or aesthetic eyelid surgery is performed on adults of all ages. Some people have blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to correct problems that are a result of aging, while others have inherited traits that cause them to seek treatment as early as their 20s or 30s.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most frequent surgeries performed by plastic surgeons. It is also one of the first surgical procedures people get. "Tired and aged" eyes are one of the earliest stigmatas of aging.

Am I a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery:

• excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
• loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision
• a puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired
• excess skin and fine, crepey wrinkles of the lower eyelids
• bags and dark circles under the eyes, often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids
• droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)

Aesthetic eyelid surgery can usually correct these problems, though other treatments may also need to be considered. For example, if the upper eyelid condition is accompanied by sagging of the eyebrows, then a forehead lift may be recommended. Smoothing of crow's feet may require chemical peeling or laser resurfacing procedures. Circles beneath the eyes caused by dark pigmentation may be treated with a bleaching solution or chemical peel. Your plastic surgeon can provide further information if you have an interest in any of these additional procedures.

Your Personal Eye Lift Consultation
During the initial eye lift consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for aesthetic eye lift surgery?

You should come to the eye lift consultation prepared to discuss you medial history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions and current medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. High blood pressure, thyroid problems or diabetes are among the medical conditions that may increase the risks associated with eye lift surgery.

Your plastic surgeon will want to know if you have allergies, especially if they affect your eyes. He or she may ask whether you have ever tried and were unable to wear contact lenses, you should bring them with you in case your surgeon wants to test your vision.

It will be necessary for your surgeon to know if you were ever told by an ophthalmologist that you have a condition called "dry eye" or if you have any other problems with your eyes.

One of several surgical techniques may be suggested to improve the appearance of your eyelids. The particular technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend on may factors such as the amount of excess fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows, and the condition of muscles around your eyelids

How Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery is Performed
Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from eyelid surgery. Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for you.

How is my plastic surgeon able to improve the appearance of my upper eyelids?
For upper eyelid surgery, generally an incision is hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid and extends slightly beyond the outside corner into the laugh lines or other existing creases. Through this incision, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. Because the incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid, it will be well camouflaged when healed.

What is done to improve the appearance of my lower eyelids?
For lower eyelid surgery, often an incision is hidden just below the lower lashes. Through this incision, excess skin, muscle and fat are removed, or fat may be redistributed to eliminate puffiness or bulges. Other adjustments to correct special problems such as muscle laxity may be performed. As in upper eyelid surgery, the incision is well camouflaged by natural creases.

In some cases, you and your surgeon may decide that the best approach for removing excess fat is through an incision placed inside the lower eyelid. This technique requires no external incision, but it cannot be used to remove excess skin. A laser may sometimes be used in conjunction with this method to tighten the lower eyelid skin.

Understanding Risks
Fortunately, significant complications from aesthetic eyelid surgery are infrequent. Every year, many thousands of people undergo successful eyelid surgery, experience no major problems and are pleased with the results.

I understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?

The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.

Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include hematoma (an accumulation of blood under the skin that may require removal), infection and reactions to anesthesia. Following the surgery, there can be a feeling of dryness or irritation in the eye that requires treatment. There is a possibility of a temporary decrease in sensation of the eyelid skin or impaired eyelid function that sometimes may need to be corrected by additional surgery.

You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your eyelid surgery.

Results of Your Eyelid Surgery
Aesthetic double eyelid surgery has the effect of making you look more rested, refreshed and alert. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of the results of your eyelid surgery. Incisions will fade over a number of months until they become barely visible.

How long will the results last?
The results of aesthetic double eyelid surgery are long-lasting, but they may be affected by your heredity and lifestyle factors.

Removal of fat from your eyelids, which is usually the cause of puffiness and bags, is permanent, and these conditions generally will not recur. The skin continues to age, however, and skin laxity along the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may, at some point, return. Sometimes loss of tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the eyebrows which mimics a recurrence of drooping upper eyelids. if this happens, correction may require a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid procedure.

Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following double eyelid surgery. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time.