Blepharoplasty: What It Is and What You Need to Know  

With time, our eyelids may not be as youthful appearing as they once were. Not only may you see a change cosmetically, but droopy eyelids can severely impact our daily lives.

Often caused by sagging and  lax skin due to normal aging, droopy eyelids are most commonly treated with blepharoplasty. If you’re considering this procedure, be sure to keep reading for more essential information.

Who Needs A Blepharoplasty?

Like most medical procedures, blepharoplasty is not for everyone. Most commonly, professionals can separate patients who need the operation from those who don’t by determining if it is a medical necessity — not solely a cosmetic one. If our evaluation reveals that your droopy lids are obstructing part of your vision, the surgery may be covered by insurance.

If you’re unsure which category your droopy eyelids fall under, take a look at these common symptoms that could call for a blepharoplasty:

• Your eye area often feels irritated due to sagging skin folds.
• You sometimes have to lift your chin or raise your eyebrows to see clearly.
• You notice a significant reduction in your peripheral vision, impacting your ability to drive and complete other daily activities.
• You experience common eye strain and discomfort.

If you experience one or more of these, then chances are that you may benefit from blepharoplasty.

Note that blepharoplasty does not correct crow’s feet, wrinkles, or sagging eyebrows.

What Does the Operation Look Like?

The appearance of your eyelids before and after blepharoplasty will not only give you a more youthful appearance, but also solve many of the ailments droopy eyelids can cause. After meeting with a professional to ensure you’re a good fit for the operation, you can expect to undergo the following steps:

1. Anesthesia: You are made comfortable via intravenous sedation. Numbing medicine is injected directly into the lids (while you are momentarily asleep!) so that you will have no pain during the procedure.

2. Incisions Made: Once you’ve received your medications and gotten comfortable, the surgeon will begin the operation by making a precise incision inside the natural crease of your eyelid. From there, muscles can be tightened, fat can be removed, and excess skin can be cut off. Both eyelids are usually done during the same procedure.

3. Sutures & Recovery: Your surgeon will finish by closing the incision with sutures, which are often removed in one to two weeks. During that time, you can expect to see some swelling around the area for a short time. Once all bruising has subsided, you can see your wonderful results! It can take up to one year for complete healing of the eyelids.

As a final note, you won’t need to worry about any visible scarring ruining the appearance of your new, beautiful eyes. Since the incisions are made within the eyelid’s natural creases, you’ll be able to fully enjoy your results without being reminded of those droopy eyelids you once had.

Considering A Blepharoplasty? Contact Eye Surgeons Associates Today!

If droopy eyelids are inhibiting you from enjoying day-to-day life, our professionals are always waiting eagerly to answer your questions about blepharoplasty. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and how we can restore your eyesight to the fullest!

References:

https://www.klmeyecare.com/blog/thinking-about-blepharoplasty-heres-what-you-need-to-know

https://www.medicinenet.com/blepharoplasty_eyelid_surgery/article.htm 

Author

Eye Surgeons Associates Drs. Zuhair H. Peracha, Manal H. Peracha-Riyaz, Eric Zuckerman, Matthew Pieters, and Leila Siblani are dedicated to excellence in eye care and service. We utilize the latest treatment methods and procedures, including routine eye care, cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, retinal disease management, diabetic eye treatment, and eyelid surgery.