Eyelid cosmetic surgery
Blepharoplasty
What is Blepharoplasty?
The eyes are our windows to the outside world and play a fundamental role in our social interactions. Typically, in human relationships, looking at each other is the first step. For this reason, the appearance of a person’s eyes has a significant impact on the initial judgments of others and the individual’s self-confidence. With increasing age, changes occur in the structure of the eyelids, causing a person to appear older and tired.
The major part of these changes includes:
- The formation of fine wrinkles around the eyelids.
- The stretching and loosening of the eyelid skin, which can sometimes lead to skin drooping from the eyelid edge.
- Accumulation of excess fat beneath the eyelid skin.
- Weakening of the eyelid muscles.
- Drooping of the eyelid or eyebrow, which leads to the formation of wrinkles and creases on the upper eyelid and can sometimes obstruct your vision.
- Swelling under the eyes.
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids.
The cumulative effect of these changes can make a person appear older and tired. Additionally, in severe cases, it can affect the peripheral visual field and visual function. Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery aimed at correcting these changes and creating a younger and more refreshed appearance. It is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures and involves removing excess skin, fat, and muscle and adjusting the position of the eyelids, leading to a significant improvement in a person’s appearance, giving them a younger and more vibrant look. The beneficial results of this surgery can last for many years and, in some cases, be permanent.
Types of Blepharoplasty
In general, eyelid cosmetic surgery includes three main types of surgery, each with its own advantages and specific applications:
Upper Eyelid Surgery
In upper eyelid surgery, excess skin on the upper eyelid and fatty bags (which appear as puffiness on the upper eyelid) are removed. Additionally, if there is ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid, it can be corrected during the surgery. Upper eyelid surgery improves the appearance and position of the upper eyelid. Moreover, if the presence of excess upper eyelid skin or ptosis has limited peripheral vision, this procedure can also address that issue, providing a younger and more alert appearance overall. Sometimes, a brow lift surgery is performed in conjunction with upper eyelid surgery.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is primarily performed to remove the fatty bags under the lower eyelids, which create a puffy appearance around the eyes. Typically, a portion of the lower eyelid skin is also removed. These changes collectively result in a more youthful appearance.
Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty
This method is primarily used in younger individuals with relatively firm and elastic skin. In this approach, the fat bags under the lower eyelids are removed through an incision made behind the lower eyelid, near the conjunctiva. The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require any incisions on the skin.
Eyelid plastic surgery, blepharoplasty, is performed under local anesthesia, which means the patient won’t feel pain during the procedure. The surgery usually takes a relatively short time, around 30 to 45 minutes. Patients typically don’t require an eye patch afterward, and besides regular sutures, liquid adhesive can be used to seal the wound edges. Any bruising and redness around the eyes should subside within 7 to 10 days, allowing the patient to resume normal daily activities after a few days.
