Blepharoplasty, commonly known as an eyelid correction procedure is the plastic surgery of the eyelids to remove excessive skin or subcutaneous fat.
Some facts about Blepharoplasty:
- Excess drooping skin, muscles and fat pads will be removed from near the eyelids during Blepharoplasty.
- Blepharoplasty can be functional and cosmetic based on the need of the patient.
- Functional blepharoplasty is performed to remove loose skin or excess fat from the upper eyelid which can sag due to the pressure, and impair vision.
- Cosmetic blepharoplasty is performed to improve the appearance of a person.
- Droopy eyelids can be repaired with Blepharoplasty.
- Your eyelids get stretched, and the muscles supporting them weakens resulting in gathering excess fat above and below your eyelids, causing sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids and bags under your eyes.
- Your side vision or peripheral vision, especially the upper and outer parts of your field of vision can be reduced because of sagging skin around your eyes.
- Blepharoplasty is considered if droopy or sagging eyelids prevent your eyes from opening completely or pull down your lower eyelids.
- Your vision can be improved by removing excess tissue from your upper eyelids.
- Infection, bleeding; dry, irritated eyes; difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems; noticeable scarring; injury to eye muscles; skin discoloration; the need for a follow-up surgery; reaction to anesthesia and blood clots and temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight are some of the risk associated with eyelid surgery.
- Blepharoplasty is not suitable if you are pregnant or lactating or if you suffer from health problems such as diabetes, circulatory or immune system disorder, thyroid disorder and heart disease.
Preparation for Blepharoplasty:
- You will need to meet with a plastic surgeon and an ophthalmologists or an oculoplastic surgeon to discuss your medical history and our expectations.
- You will need to undergo a physical examination, in which your tear production will be tested and parts of your eyelids will be measured before your eyelid surgery.
- Your eyes and your vision, including your peripheral vision will be examined by your eye doctor to support an insurance claim
- You will need to undergo a Eyelid photography in which photograph of your eyes will be taken from different angles. These photos are taken to help with planning the surgery, assessing its immediate and long term effects and supporting an insurance claim.
- You need to stop taking warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen , naproxen sodium, naproxen and any other medication or herbal supplement associated with the risk of increased bleeding.
- You should quit smoking several weeks before your surgery as it can reduce your ability to heal after surgery.
Procedure for Blepharoplasty:
- Numbing medication will be injected into your eyelids and intravenous medication will be administered to help you relax.
- The surgeon generally works on your upper lids first if you have surgery on your upper and lower eyelids.
- Cuts will be made by the surgeon along the fold of the eyelid and some excess skin, muscle and fat will be removed. The cut will be closed after that.
- A cut will be made just below the lashes in the natural crease of your eye or inside the lower lid to remove or redistribute excess fat, muscle and sagging skin. Then the cut will be closed.
- Your surgeon may need to do blepharoplasty with a procedure called ptosis if your upper eyelid droops close to your pupil to provide additional support to the eyebrow muscle.
Recovery for Blepharoplasty:
- Generally, it takes around two weeks to recover from blepharoplasty. However, the recovery time varies from patient to patient and may also take a longer time
- You will be monitored for complications in the recovery room after surgery.
- You may experience blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes, watering eyes, double vision, puffy, numb eyelids, light sensitivity, swelling and bruising similar to having black eyes, pain or discomfort after surgery temporarily.
- Generally, bruising and swelling takes around 10 to 14 days to subside where as scars from the surgical cuts may take months to fade.
- Proper care should be taken to protect your delicate eyelid skin from too much sun exposure.
Things to be done after Blepharoplasty:
- Ice packs should be used on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery. Ice packs can be used on your eyes four to five times throughout the day, the following day.
- Your eyelids should be gently cleaned and prescribed eye drops or ointments should be used.
- Straining, heavy lifting and swimming should be avoided for a week.
- Strenuous activities, such as aerobics and jogging, should be avoided for a week.
- Smoking, rubbing your eyes should be avoided.
- Do not put contact lenses for about two weeks after surgery if you use them.
- Darkly tinted sunglasses should be worn to protect the skin of your eyelids from sun and wind.
- You should sleep with your head raised higher than your chest for a few days.
- Cool compresses can be applied to reduce swelling.
- Washing your face and shampooing your hair, or using face wash or soap on your face should be avoided for at least three days after the surgery.
- Hot tubs should also be avoided.
- Use of eye makeup should be avoided for at least four weeks after the surgery. And avoid using your old eye makeup on your eyes after that as it may contain bacteria.
- The eye drops given to you after the surgery should be religiously applied and also any medication that is prescribed by the doctor should be taken.
- You may need to visit the doctor's office to have stitches removed, if needed after a few days.
- Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and other medications or herbal supplements that may increase bleeding for about a week.
- You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to control pain if needed.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you experience vision problems, bleeding, an unusual heart rate, severe new eye pain, chest pain or shortness of breath.