Blepharoplasty what is it?

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July 31, 2023

Blepharoplasty what is it?

Blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee) is a type of surgery that removes excess skin from the eyelids. With age, eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat can gather above and below your eyelids. This can cause sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids and bags under the eyes.

Besides aging, severely sagging skin around the eyes can reduce side vision (peripheral vision), especially the upper and outer parts of the visual field. Blepharoplasty can reduce or get rid of these vision problems. The surgery can also make eyes look younger and more alert.

For reading : What Is Arm Lift Surgery?

Why it’s done

Blepharoplasty might be an option for:

  • Baggy or droopy upper eyelids
  • Excess skin of the upper eyelids that partially blocks peripheral vision
  • Excess skin on the lower eyelids
  • Bags under the eyes

Blepharoplasty can be done at the same time as another procedure, such as a brow lift, face-lift or skin resurfacing.

Risks

All surgery has risks, including reaction to anesthesia and blood clots. Besides those, rare risks of eyelid surgery include:

  • Infection and bleeding
  • Dry, irritated eyes
  • Difficulty closing the eyes or other eyelid problems
  • Noticeable scarring
  • Injury to eye muscles
  • Skin discoloration
  • Temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight
  • The need for follow-up surgery

What you can expect

Before the procedure

Blepharoplasty is usually done in an outpatient setting. You might be given drugs such as injections into the eyelids to numb them and drugs through an IV to help you relax.

During the procedure

For upper eyelids, the surgeon cuts along the fold of the eyelid. The surgeon removes some excess skin, muscle and possibly fat. Then the surgeon closes the cut.

On the lower lid, the surgeon makes a cut just below the lashes in your eye’s natural crease or inside the lower lid. The surgeon removes or redistributes excess fat, muscle and sagging skin. Then the surgeon closes the cut.

If your upper eyelid droops close to your pupil, your surgeon may do blepharoplasty combined with a procedure called ptosis (TOE-sis). Ptosis is designed to lift the eyelid as well as remove excess eyelid skin.

After the procedure

After surgery you spend time in a recovery room where staff members monitor you for complications. You can leave later that day to heal at home.

After surgery you might temporarily have:

  • Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes
  • Watering eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Double vision
  • Puffy, numb eyelids
  • Swelling and bruising similar to having black eyes
  • Pain or discomfort

Take the following steps to help you recover from surgery unless your surgeon gives you different instructions.

Do:

  • Use ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery. The following day, use ice packs on your eyes 4 to 5 times throughout the day.
  • Use prescribed eye drops or ointments.
  • Sleep with your head raised higher than your chest for a few days.
  • Apply cool compresses to reduce swelling.
  • Wear dark sunglasses to protect the skin of your eyelids from sun and wind.
  • If needed, use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to control pain.

Don’t:

  • Do anything strenuous for a week — no heavy lifting, swimming, jogging or aerobics.
  • Smoke.
  • Rub your eyes.
  • Wear contact lenses for about two weeks.
  • Take aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), naproxen (Naprosyn), and other drugs or herbal supplements that can increase bleeding.

As instructed, return to the care provider’s office to have stitches removed, if needed.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • An unusual heart rate
  • Severe new eye pain
  • Bleeding
  • Vision problems

For reading : What Is Arm Lift Surgery?

Results

Many people who have blepharoplasty say they feel more self-confident and feel they look younger and more rested. For some people, surgery results may last a lifetime. For others, droopy eyelids can recur.

Bruising and swelling generally lessen slowly in about 10 to 14 days. Scars from the surgical cuts may take months to fade. Take care to protect your delicate eyelid skin from sun exposure.

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