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 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.