Blepharoplasty
Cosmetic Surgery
of the Eyelids
Many changes
occur around the eye region with aging. These changes can make
you look tired, angry, bags around the eyes and dark circles are
the most common complaints. Wrinkles and excess skin is common.
Plastic
surgery of the eyelids is effective in smoothing puffy, baggy
eye lids, tired eyes look more youthful and (in many cases)...more
awake. In particular, it can produce open eyes by removing excess
skin. It lifts droopy lids. Cosmetic eyelid surgery (Eye lid lift)
can even change Asian eyelids to make them appear more Caucasian
by redefining the crease of the upper eyelid Eye lid surgery must
be tailored to each individual, depending on their concerns and
the condition of their eyelids. The position of the eye brow is
very important in how the upper lid looks. The bags in the lower
lids are excess fat or misplaced fat, with resulting bags and
or deep crease in the lower lid known as the tear trough. To improve
these problems a thorough knowledge of the aesthetics and anatomy
is essential for proper evaluation and formulating a plan to improve
on the eye lid aesthetics. It is imperative to avoid the operated
on look and the hollow eye look after surgery.
In the
upper lid the incision is hidden in the upper lid crease, once
healed it is hardly noticeable.
Through
that incision excess fat is removed only when absolutely needed
other wise a hollow eye will result. In most cases only skin is
removed to keep the full youthful eye and avoid the hollow look.
Lower
lid lifts are more involved and require experience and artistry.
The approach is through either of two incisions
Evaluation
of the upper lid must include the position of the eye brow. A
droopy eye brow accentuates the upper lid aging. In those situations
the eye brow must be positioned back to normal position. This
is done with a forehead lift or a brow lift.
Excess
skin of the upper lid is then marked. The incision is positioned
in the eyelid crease. The crease should be positioned at the right
height from the lashes.
1. Transconjunctival,
that is through an incision inside the lower lid. Bags are dealt
with, and the skin can be smoothed either by laser resurfacing
or skin peel.
2. Subcilliary,
or through the skin just below the eye lashes. The bags of fat
are redistributed to fill the hollow crease in the lower lids,
and occasionally some of that fat is removed.
The lower lid is supported with special sutures (Canthoplasty), and the excess skin is conservatively removed to smooth the skin.
Scars heal very well and are hardly noticeable.
Average Cost of Eyelid Surgery
Fees for
surgery include the surgeonís fees, anesthesia fees, and facility
fees.
Potential risks of Eyelid
Surgery
Risks and complications are
rare but do occur.
Infection: Eye lid
infection is rare, antibiotics are given to decrease the chances
of onfection.
Bleeding: vision
changes can occur. It is a rare complication, It is due to bleeding
in the fat compartments after the surgery is over.
Blurred vision:
This is due to swelling, or damage to any of the muscles that
surround the eyeball and coordinate its movement. Most often,
these symptoms are temporary. Fortunately, this is a rare problem.
Dry eye syndrome:
This can be due to a variety of reasons, however the most common
is preexisting dry eye that has not been recognized, or fully
manifested itself.
Inability to close your eyes
(LAGOPHTHALMUS): This is usually due to removal of too
much upper eyelid skin. In severe cases, skin grafting may be
necessary to correct this problem.
Corneal abrasion:
This can occur during ANY operation, whether it is on the eyes
or any part of the body, because the eyes may sometimes open during
surgery, rendering them susceptible to being scratched by a member
of the operating team. Treatment involves antibiotics and taping
the eye shut for 2-3 days while the abrasion heals.
Hollow (sunken) eyes:
occur when too much fat removed from the eyelids. This can usually
be prevented by conservative removal of fat or no removal at the
time of surgery.
Ectropion: Where
the lower lid hangs down.
Prolonged swelling
Bruising
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Recovery is one to two
Surgery: surgery
is usually done under local anesthesia with sedation.
Surgery time one to two hours.
It is highly recommended to have an ophthalmology exam done prior to eye lid surgery.
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