All You Need to Know before Eyelid Surgery

Do you have droopy eyelids? Are you bothered by pockets of fat in that area of the body? If so, you might be a good candidate for eyelid surgery AKA blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery can be performed on both the upper and lower lids to improve their appearance. If you’re not familiar with the procedure, here is a rundown of all you need to know about eyelid surgery!

Eyelid Surgery Facts for You

• Eyelid Surgery Dates Back to the First Century – The use of eyelid surgery on patients is not a recent development. The first recorded eyelid surgery was performed by a man named Aulus Cornelius Celsus all the way back in the first century. He published a book called “De Medicine” that described a procedure where an incision was made in the skin in order to relax the eyelids. The knowledge of whether the procedure was aesthetic or functional has been lost over the years. It is known that the procedure was refined and developed to the point where the word “blepharoplasty” was introduced in 1818 by Karl Ferdinand von Gate who corrected deformities in the eyelids that were caused by cancer
• Ideal Candidates – In general, good candidates for the procedure are patients who have lines and wrinkles as well as loose skin in the eyelid area. Patients who have bags of fat under their eyes are also ideal candidates. While there is not a minimum age limit for the surgery, patients normally start around the age of 35 because this is when the skin around the eyes begins to lose its elasticity.
• Male and Female Patients – Even though women account for over 80\\% of the total eyelid surgeries performed on patients, there are many men who have the procedure as well. While a number of male patients elect to have the surgery for reconstructive reasons, there are also a good number of men who want to rejuvenate the appearance of their eyelids as well as the appearance of their face in general.
• Scars – Advances in blepharoplasty has allowed patients to have the surgery with little to no visible scars at all. By making incisions in the natural creases of the upper and lower eyelids, surgeons are able to keep most scars from being visible to others.
• Prepare for the Procedure – Before scheduling blepharoplasty, you will meet with a plastic surgeon and an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or a plastic surgeon that specializes in eye surgeries (oculoplastic surgeon) to discuss previous surgeries as well as past or current conditions such as dry eyes, glaucoma, allergies, circulatory problems, thyroid problems and diabetes.
• Steps the Doctor will take before the Surgery – Your doctor will conduct a physical examination which might include testing your tear production and measuring parts of your eyelids. Your eye doctor will examine your eyes and test your vision, including your peripheral vision, because the information might be needed to support an insurance claim. Your eyes will be photographed from different angles to assess the immediate and long-term effects of the surgery.

Eyelid Surgery Combined with Other Procedures

Eyelid surgery is not a procedure that has to be strictly performed by itself. Some plastic surgery procedures that it is commonly combined with include a brow lift, a facelift and a number of skin rejuvenation and resurfacing procedures.

Eyelid Surgery Risks

Some of the possible risks of eyelid surgery include:

• Infection and bleeding
• Dry, irritated eyes
• Difficulty closing your eyes
• Noticeable scarring
• Injury to eye muscles
• Skin discoloration
• Temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight

Different Eyelid Surgery Techniques

The three techniques used to perform eyelid surgery are:

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty – This technique is usually performed on patients with small bags under their eyes. The incision for this technique is placed on the inside of the lower eyelid.

Upper Eyelid Surgery – A technique used to eliminate any excess skin or fat from the upper eyelid area.

Double Eyelid Surgery – This version is performed most commonly in Asian patients to create a crease in the upper eyelid. It is often used to create a more Caucasian look in the patient.

What to Know after Your Eyelid Surgery

Once the surgery is performed, you may temporarily experience:

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

In order to avoid any of the above conditions after the surgery, you should:

• Use ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery
• The day after the surgery, use ice packs on your eyes four to five times throughout the day
• Gently clean your eyelids and use prescribed eye drops or ointments
• Avoid straining, heavy lifting and swimming for a week
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as aerobics and jogging, for a week
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid rubbing your eyes

Schedule a Consultation Appointment with a Board-Certified Surgeon

Now that you have a better idea of what is involved with eyelid surgery, you should schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon. An experienced surgeon can determine which technique will help you achieve your desired results. The surgeon will also set realistic expectations so you won’t be disappointed by the final results.