Blepharoplasty
As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes can appear puffy or
saggy. Eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and the normal
deposits of protective fat around the eye bulge. The surgical
procedure to remove excess eyelid tissues (skin, muscle, or fat) is
called blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid,
or both. The surgery is performed for either cosmetic or functional
reasons. Sometimes excess upper eyelid tissue obstructs the upper
visual field or can weigh down the eyelid and produce tired-feeling
eyes. Most often, people choose blepharoplasty to improve their
appearance by making the area around their eyes firmer. When
blepharoplasty is performed to improve vision, rather than for
cosmetic reasons only, it may be covered by insurance.
Blepharoplasty for the lower lid removes the large bags under the
eyes. It is unusual for third party payers to cover lower lid
blepharoplasty.
The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis and can take
one to three hours. Upper lid incisions are made in the natural
crease of the lid, and lower lid incisions are made just below the
lash line. A procedure for lower lid blepharoplasty, called
transconjunctival blepharoplasty, removes excess fat through an
incision inside the lower lid. Incisions are closed with fine
sutures.
Swelling, bruising and blurry vision are common after blepharoplasty.
Stitches are removed three to five days after surgery, except in the
case of transconjunctival blepharoplasty where the self-dissolving
sutures usually require no removal.
Possible complications associated with blepharoplasty include
bleeding and swelling, delayed healing, infection, drooping of upper
or lower eyelid, asymmetry, double vision, and dry eye. It is
important to note that the puffiness of the fat pockets may not
return, but normal wrinkling and aging of the eye area will
continue.
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