Eyelid Surgery: Is It Right for You?
Have you noticed a change to your eye area over the years? Maybe you found an old photo recently and realized just how much gravity and living life has taken its toll on your face. Dropping eyelids is a very common problem that occurs as we age. Some people find it is more of a problem under the eye, while others notice an issue above their eyes, which can have an affect on their vision as well. Therefore, eyelid surgery can be purely for cosmetic reasons, or for some people, it is a functional medical procedure. An eye surgeon can diagnose for you if there is a medical condition and exactly which one you may be experiencing during a consultation.
Eyelid surgery treats the area around your eyes that could have a few concerns:
Permanent bags underneath the eyes
Drooping below the brow
Excess skin above or below the eyes
Fat pockets above or below the eyes
Eyelids turning in or outwards incorrectly (typically on the lower lid)
What are the most common eyelid surgeries ?
There are two surgeries that are frequently done- the Upper Lid Blepharoplasty and the Lower Lid Blepharoplasty. As you may have already guessed, the Upper is focused on the area above the eye, while the Lower is focused on the area below the eye. Both of these procedures are performed with a CO2 laser, which minimizes bruising and swelling, resulting in a faster recovery time. Optimally both procedures also only require a small incision, that when completed by a highly trained eye surgeon, leave no visible scar.
The Upper Lid Blepharoplasty (or Upper Eyelid Lift) is done to reduce loose or excess skin found in the upper lid crease. This can reduce the weight of the upper eyelid (making it easier to keep the eyes open) and remove upper eyelid hooding (improving the peripheral vision). This results in a more youthful, awake appearance and improve peripheral vision.
The Lower Lid Blepharoplasty (or Lower Eyelid Lift) is done to reduce the puffiness of the lower eyelids or bags under the eyes. The incision is made on the inside of the eyelid so there is no external visible scar. In patients that have excess sagging skin in the lower eyelid, a small incision can made at the eyelash line can be made to remove the excess skin. This results in a smoothing out of the skin under the eye giving a more refreshed, rested appearance.
When will I see the results?
Generally speaking, you will noticed improvements right away! As with any procedure, it can take some time for the bruising and swelling to subside before you will see the full effect. This could take a few short weeks for your body to fully heal. During this time you will have a follow up appointment (possibly a few) to ensure everything is going to plan and healing well. It is super important that you take special care to avoid sun exposure by using dark and fully covering sunglasses, especially in the strong Florida sunshine!
Take a look at the Before & After photos here to see some of our patients amazing results! If you are ready to have an eye specialist assess your situation, reach out to our team today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to working with you!
