What causes droopy eyelids and how are they treated?
Dermatochalasis
Dermatochalasis is caused by excess skin which results in puffy, droopy eyelids. Blepharoplasty is the treatment for dermatochalasis and fatty prolapse. It involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the eyelid. This is measured with the eyelid lightly closed during surgery to ensure the eyelid will be able to close completely after surgery and healing. Blepharoplasty treatment for dermatochalasis and fatty prolapse will leave a small fold of skin with the eyes open as would normally occur.
Ptosis
Ptosis is droopiness of the eyelid. This droopiness is not caused by excessive skin but from a weakening or detaching of the tendon that raises the eyelid.
Ptosis is repaired by shortening or reattaching the muscle that elevates the eyelid. This can be performed individually or in conjunction with a blepharoplasty procedure depending on the patient’s needs or desire.
Fatty Prolapse
Fatty prolapse occurs when tissue around the eye become relaxed allowing normal fatty tissue to bulge or protrude forward. This change commonly occurs because of time and aging and can contribute to a bulging, droopy eyelid.
Brow Ptosis
Changes with time can result in a sagging or drooping of the eyebrows which can contribute to the droopy eyelid known as brow ptosis. Brow ptosis can be corrected with removal of excess skin and subcutaneous tissue (the tissue beneath the skin surface). This can be performed just above the brow, the middle of the forehead (in a natural crease in the forehead), at the hairline, or within the scalp.
Why undergo Eyelid surgery?
Appear Younger
Unfortunately, the ageing process is something that occurs in everyone, no matter how well a person may take care of themselves. Some people may experience unwanted signs of ageing as early as their 20s, while others are lucky enough to notice them many years down the line. Nevertheless, it is a natural and unavoidable occurrence.
The eyes are one of the first and most visible areas to demonstrate ageing since the collagen in the delicate skin surrounding the eyes begins to weaken earlier on and more severely than in most other areas. That being said, one of the key aims of eyelid surgery, in particular blepharoplasty, is to remove any excess skin around the eyes which causes them to appear tired, baggy and aged. After undergoing such a procedure, most patients are pleased with how much younger and more refreshed they look.
This is because the eye is constantly moving, causing loss of volume, added wrinkles, drooping and excess skin. Blepharoplasty removes that excess tissue, skin and fat in order to leave a more youthful appearance.
Look less tired
During initial consultations, many patients complain of constantly looking like they have not slept a wink in a long while, even if they always get a solid eight hours, or appearing stressed when they are not. Surgical removal of the excess eyelid skin and fat will mean a look that appears less tired since this excess skin is what contributes to under-eye bags and puffiness as we begin to age.
Patients may also choose to undergo other procedures, such as brow lift, which has a similar effect in that it aims to reduce the number of wrinkles, lines or creases present on the forehead. These are normally carried out together in order to shorten the recovery process.
Remove dark circles
There are three main causes of dark under-eye circles; the loss of volume in the tissue under the eyes, excess eyelid fat which can cause ‘bulging’, and the reduction of the pigmented eyelid skin, causing darkness beneath the eyes. The correct surgical procedures can help with these issues by removing any excess skin, sculpting and redistributing the fat, and replacing lost volume.
Improve vision
While eyelid surgery is most commonly used for cosmetic motives, there are frequent cases in which it is performed for health reasons. For many patients, the upper eyelid skin may droop down into their field of vision, causing sight problems, which blepharoplasty is able to fix.
Moreover, some patients may suffer from ptosis, or droopy eyelid, which is a physical condition causing the eyelids to droop lower than normal, often impairing vision. Again, a surgical procedure can be performed to correct vision problems, whilst also resulting in a younger, more refreshed appearance. Here, the upper lid is lifted and excess skin and tissue is removed in order to expand the line of sight. Many patients have found that there is a much greater level of comfort in their forehead and eyebrow area after the procedure, as they no longer have to make the effort to raise their eyelids to be able to see clearly.
Another eye condition which can be treated with eyelid surgery is that of dry eye syndrome. This is where the eyes are not able to produce enough tears, or the tears produced are evaporating too fast. However, surgery will only be carried out where dry eye is severe and other treatment methods have failed to help.
Receive a confidence boost
The eyes are a central aesthetic feature and are often the first thing somebody notices about you, which is why feeling content with the way they look is key to positive self-esteem. As such, the physical improvements resulting from cosmetic eyelid surgery and other combined procedures are immeasurable and will certainly help patients feel happier and more confident in their own skin.
Can anyone have blepharoplasty?
The best blepharoplasty patients are those who are healthy and well-motivated. Some medical conditions may increase the risk of blepharoplasty surgery such as thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and patients who do not produce sufficient tears to keep their eyes well-lubricated. It is important that patients have reasonable expectations as to what their outcomes will be. The blepharoplasty procedure will not eradicate the wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet). Dark circles under the eyes may improve if related to large bags, but most often the dark appearance of the lower eyelid skin remains. It is important to understand that blepharoplasty cannot replace lost skin elasticity due to sun damage and the aging process of the eyelids and surrounding skin.
How much does blepharoplasty cost?
blepharoplasty cost includes the surgeon’s fee and fees for the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, surgical garments and other miscellaneous costs related to the procedure.
Your costs can be higher or lower, depending on many factors, including whether you have surgery performed on both the upper and lower eyelids, on only the upper lids or only the lower lids.
Blepharoplasty cost also can vary significantly based on the expertise and location of the cosmetic eye surgeon you choose.
Faq
Will an upper blepharoplasty change the shape of my eye?
This is a semantic question. The eye as a whole looks different and better, and to that extent the shape is different. But it does not change the fixed structures of the eyelid, such as where it attached towards the nose and to the temple, so the fundamental shape of the lids is unchanged.
What form of anesthesia will be used for my procedure?
An upper blepharoplasty can be done equally well with just local anesthesia, IV sedation, or a light general anesthetic. This often depends upon whether other procedures are being done which themselves require a general anesthetic, such as a rhinoplasty and often a facelift. General anesthesia and IV sedation cost more money, but many patients prefer being asleep. It is a personal choice and doctor can help you decide what will work best for you.
Can I wear eyeglasses right after an upper blepharoplasty?
Eyeglasses can be worn right after a blepharoplasty, and in fact it is very common for patients to return for their visit the day after surgery wearing sunglasses as a means to mask any swelling they have.
Can I wear contacts right after an upper blepharoplasty?
You should wait about a week before wearing contact lenses after a blepharoplasty.
Can I have an upper blepharoplasty if I have a dry eyes?
Patients with dry eyes should be under the care of an ophthalmologist. When this situation arises, doctor will discuss your case with your eye doctor find out if it is possible to do an upper blepharoplasty.
How painful is the recovery?
Doctor will give you pain pills, but most patients do not need to take any after a blepharoplasty; it is fortunately not a very painful procedures. Cold compresses for the first several days not only reduces swelling and bruising but really nips eyelid pain in the bud.
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