Blepharoplasty, also known as an eye lift, is a procedure that corrects sagging or drooping eyelids. Laxity in the skin around the eyes is a normal part of aging, causing the appearance of "bags" above and below the eye. Genetic factors and environmental exposure can increase the onset and severity of sagging eyelids. Although skincare is important, it will never stop the body's natural aging process, which is the main cause of puffy, sagging or lose skin around our eyes. This procedure offers a way to turn back the clock for a more youthful appearance.
Blepharoplasty can also treat a medical condition called ptosis (drooping eyelid), which is caused by poor muscle tone or nerve damage resulting in very low hanging eyelids that block vision.
Blepharoplasty only corrects sagging eyelids and is often performed with other cosmetic surgeries such as a brow lift or facelift to improve drooping eyebrows and other skin elasticity issues like crow's feet, deep creasing or hanging skin.
There are two types of blepharoplasty: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty and Lower Eyelid blepharoplasty. The upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes excess skin, fat and/or muscle from the upper eyelid. The goal of a lower eyelid blepharoplasty is to remove excess bags and sometimes trip some skin at the lash line to tighten the under eye skin.
The best candidates for blepharoplasty are physically healthy and are well informed about the surgery. Typically candidates are at least 35, though genetic factors may indicate treatment for younger people. Candidates may be excluded if they have any of the following conditions: dry eyes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or Graves’ disease. A patient’s anatomy, including bone and supporting structure, may also affect your candidacy.
To determine candidacy for blepharoplasty, it is necessary to have a consultation at Advanced Eye Care. At the consultation Dr. Feulner has will discuss post surgical goals and expectations and help decide what procedure(s) would be beneficial based on each specific case.
At the time of surgery, the patient will be given a local anesthesia to numb the area around the eyes and a mild sedative to help him/her stay relaxed during the procedure. The patient will be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. The blepharoplasty will take between to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. A small incision is made following the natural line of the eyelids, excess fat is removed and sagging skin trimmed, and the incision is closed with very fine stitches.
After surger the following temporary side effects may be experienced:
Please Note
Post operatively, patients should be able to read or watch TV in two or three days. Most people feel ready to return to work in 7 to 10 days. There may be sensitive to sunlight and wind for several weeks, so sunglasses should be worn and a special sun block made for eyelids.
The first step is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Feulner. Call us today at 410-569-7173 or click here to schedule an appointment.
