Skincare Treated

Risks of Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Individuals who opt for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) usually want to get rid of droopy eyelids, bags under the eyes or sagging lids. This is achieved by removing skin, muscle and fatty tissue from the eyelids, lending the face a youthful appearance.

Droopy Eyelids

Sometimes, senior citizens whose eyelids have drooped naturally over time, elect to undergo eyelid surgery as it improves their vision. Simply put, removing droopy eyelids clears the field of vision.

The eyelids droop as part of the natural ageing process. This happens because the skin loses its natural elasticity and succumbs to gravity.

The upper lids form an extra fold while bags collect at the base of the lower lid. There is another reason why the eyelids begin to bulge.

This takes place when the fatty cushion that protects the eyeballs from the skin begins to bulge and spill over into the eyelids. Again, this is an age-related problem.

Not For Wrinkles

It is important to note that eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty will not work on wrinkles, dark circles or crow’s feet. These are best treated by other cosmetic surgical procedures such as laser resurfacing.

In fact, blepharoplasty is usually performed along with other procedures such as a facelift or a forehead lift.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a fairly simple procedure that takes only a couple of hours. You can get one eye done at a time or both in the same session. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia.

Upper and Lower Lids

The procedure is slightly different for the upper lids as opposed t the lower ones. The doctor will make small incisions in the upper eyelids along the natural folds of the skin.

Then, the excess skin, fat and muscle are removed before the skin is sewed together with tiny sutures. The stitches remain for about a week before they are removed.

There are two procedures commonly used for surgery on the lower lids. Neither leaves any mark or scar.

Surgery on the lower eyelids may be done using one of several

In transcutaneous surgery, the doctor makes an incision along the margin of the eyelash. The excess loose muscle, fat and skin is removed through this incision. There is a fine scar post-surgery but this invariably fades with time.

The other procedure is the transconjunctival technique. Here the incision is made inside the eyelid and is therefore not visible at all.

What Are The Risks?

It takes a week or two to recover from eyelid surgery. Your eyelids will probably temporarily swell and you will experience some redness. But this should last only a couple of weeks.

After eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), some patients do experience continued dryness of the eyes, bleeding from the lids, and discolouration of the lids. In rare cases, where the doctor has not exercised sufficient skill, there may be difficulty while blinking.