Eyelid Surgery ("Blepharoplasty")
Description
Corrects
sagging, puffy or drooping eyelids, as
well as bags and bulges above and below
the eyes. The condition is caused when
fat forces its way through layers of
muscles. If surgery is used to correct
visual field defects, upper-eyelid
surgery may be covered by medical
insurance.
Length
1 to 3 hours
for both eyelids.
Side Effects
Temporary
tightness of eyelids, swelling,
bruising, burning, and itching.
Excessive tearing and sensitivity to
light for first few weeks.
Recovery
Eyelids may
feel tight and sore as the anesthesia
wears off; however, any discomfort can
be controlled with oral pain medication.
Reading: 2 or 3 days. Back to work: 7 to
10 days. Contact lenses: 2 weeks or
more. Strenuous activities, alcohol:
about 3 weeks. Bruising and swelling
gone: several weeks.
Results
Several
years. Sometimes permanent.
Technology
Drooping
eyelids are corrected by incising a flap
of skin just above the eyelid and
removing excess skin and fat. For lower
eyelid surgery, the incision to remove
fat is hidden just under the lower
lashes. However, blepharoplasty wont
remove crows feet and other wrinkles, or
eliminate dark circles under the eyes. A
surgeon may also use Transconjunctival
blepharoplasty, another technique to
remove excess under-eye fat; using tiny
forceps by making an incision just
inside the lower eyelid, in the pink
area known as the conjunctival tissue.
Patient Status
Outpatient -
Usually
Anesthesia
Local with
Sedation
General
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