The eye is an important component of facial aesthetics, and blepharoplasty can play a vital positive role in facial harmony and the perception of aging.
Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic procedures.
WHAT IS BLEPHAROPLASTY?
Blepharoplasty is the removal and repositioning of the skin, muscle and fat of the upper and/or lower eyelid. In the upper eyelid the incision is made and hidden in the natural lid crease. In the lower eyelid the incision is made along the skin just beneath the eyelashes or in the moist surface of the eyelid known as conjunctiva.
What is the purpose behind Blepharoplasty?
The primary use of blepharoplasty is for improving the cosmetic appearance of the eyes. In some older persons, however, sagging and excess skin surrounding the eyes can be so extensive that it limits the range of vision. In those cases, blepharoplasty serves a more functional purpose.
Types of blepharoplasty
There are three major types of eyelid surgery:-
The first type is called lower eyelid blepharoplasty. As the name indicates, it is done on the lower eyelid and is mostly used for modifying eye bags or improving the wrinkled appearance of skin around the eyes.
The second type is called double eyelid surgery. It has earned the moniker “Asian blepharoplasty” because it is popular among East and Southeast Asians. Through this type of surgery, a crease is created in the upper eyelid, resulting to a double-lidded appearance deemed desirable by Asians.
The third type is upper eyelid surgery. This is mainly used to address functionality. Among the elderly, the upper eyelid may lose its normal elasticity, leading droopy eyelid and inversion. This can lead to loss of vision and daily activities such as reading, writing or driving. Hence, undergoing upper eyelid surgery can restore the function of the affected person.
HOW WILL EYELID SURGERY AFFECT MY VISION AND APPEARANCE?
The results of the Blepharoplasty depend upon each patient’s symptoms, unique anatomy, appearance goals and ability to adapt to changes.
Blepharoplasty only corrects vision loss due to excess skin, muscle and fat that blocks the eye. By removing this excess skin, muscle and fat that blocks the eye, the Blepharoplasty of the upper eyelid may allow for more air to get in and improve peripheral vision.
Blepharoplasty does not improve blurred vision caused by problems inside the eye or by neurological disease behind the eye.
Because excess skin, muscle and fat are consequences of aging, most patients feel that blepharoplasty improves their appearance and makes them feel more youthful. Some patients, however, have unrealistic expectations about how changes in appearance will impact their lives. Carefully evaluate your goals and your ability to deal with changes to your appearance before agreeing to this surgery.
This is an eyelid surgery which is often mistaken as Cosmetic surgery but it does not always have to be so. It can also have medical indications. In the following paragraphs I shall try to give as much information as possible and dispel common myths about the procedure.
How to perform Blepharoplasty?
Before performing blepharoplasty, the surgeon will assess whether a person is a good candidate for the treatment. A thorough medical history is important. The surgeon will want to know about any history of thyroid disease, hypertension, or eye problems, which may increase the risk of complications.
Prior to surgery, surgeons and their candidates meet to discuss the procedure, clarify the results that can be achieved, and discuss potential problems that might occur. Having realistic expectations is important in any cosmetic procedure.
People will learn, for example, that although blepharoplasty can improve the appearance of the eyelid, other procedures, such as a chemical peel, will be necessary to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eye. Some surgeons prescribe vitamin C and vitamin K for 10 days prior to surgery in the belief that this helps the healing process. Candidates are also told to stop smoking in the weeks before and after the procedure, and to refrain from using alcohol or aspirin.
WHAT CAN CAUSE THE NEED FOR THIS EYELID SURGERY?
With age skin and muscles of the eyelid can sag and droop. In addition, the fat that surrounds the eye may bulge through the skin of the upper and lower eyelids. Excess skin, muscles, and fat can weigh down the eyelids and can sometimes block your vision. This can lead to fatigue, eye strain, skin irritation and loss of peripheral vision. Excess skin, muscle, and fat can create what many feel is an unattractive aged appearance especially in the lower eyelids (eye bag or bags under the eyes)
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR RISKS?
Risks of Blepharoplasty include but are not limited to: bleeding, infection, an asymmetric or unbalanced appearance, scarring, difficulty closing the eyes (which may cause damage to the underlying corneal surface), double vision, tearing or dry eye problems, inability to wear contact lenses, numbness and/or tingling near the eye or on the face, and in rare cases, loss of vision.
You may need additional treatment or surgery to treat these complications; the cost of additional treatment or surgery in NOT included in the fee for this surgery. Due to individual differences in anatomy, response to surgery, and wound healing, no guarantees can be made as to your final result. For some patients, changes in appearance may lead to anger, anxiety, depression, or other emotional reactions. The listing of these complications do not imply that these are common occurrences but only to emphasize that risks are a part of any surgery.
COMPLICATIONS:
Complications include persistence of dark circles, temporary skin irregularities from fat and edema, fat granulomas, restricted ocular motility, or new-onset diplopia.
Other Complications:
- Vision loss from retro bulbar haemorrhage
- Eyelid infection
- Double vision from problems with eye alignment
- Noticeable surgical scarring
- Malpositioned eyelids
- Under correction (not removing enough of the excessive skin)
- Overcorrection (removing too much skin)
- Numbness of the eyelids
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?
You may be willing to live with the symptoms and appearance of extra skin, muscle and fat around your eyes and decide not to have surgery on your lids at this time. In some cases the appearance of excess skin and fat in the lower lids can be improved with skin resurfacing (using lasers, dermabrasion, or chemical peels) and/or inject able fillers.
ANESTHESIA
Blepharoplasty may be performed under either local or general anaesthesia depending upon the surgical plan, patient and surgeon preference, and need for concomitant operations. A simple upper or lower eyelid blepharoplasty where only skin or fat is excised can be performed under local anaesthesia. Other more invasive procedures, such as lower blepharoplasty combined with fat repositioning, mid-face lift, or endoscopic brow lift may need intravenous sedation, or general anaesthesia.
RISKS?
There are some risks of anaesthesia- general or local.
Complications of anaesthesia injections around the eye may include: perforation of eyeball, injury to the optic nerve resulting in loss of vision loss haemorrhage, retinal detachment, interference with retinal circulation resulting in possible vision loss, drooping of the upper eyelid, hypertension or lowering of blood pressure and respiratory depression.
General anaesthesia can result in heart and breathing problems, and in very unusual and rare instances, death or diminished brain function can occur.
Eyelid surgery: – After effects
Immediately after eyelid surgery, one should expect swelling and bruising. This is part of the natural wound healing process and will eventually resolve. Specific instructions are given by the surgeon for the appropriate care of the surgical wound.
Eye drops are usually given to minimize the risk of eye infection while analgesics are usually prescribed to provide pain relief. Using ice pads or applying cold compress over the eyes during the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery can greatly reduce bruising and swelling. Afterwards, lukewarm eye pads or compress should be utilized to facilitate blood flow to the area.
Within weeks to months, the appearance of the surgically-operated eyelid should demonstrate significant improvement. The best way to gauge improvement after surgery is to compare photos taken before and after the procedure. Surgeons usually keep photos of their patients to track the latter’s progress.
Recovery From Blepharoplasty Surgery:
For the initial few days, you may encounter gentle aggravations, tearing, affectability to light, and sporadically mellow, transitory changes in your visual perception, for example, obscuring or twofold vision.
What Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
Blepharoplasty cost varies, depending on the region of the country where you live, the surgeon, the surgeon’s subspecialty, the facility where the surgery is performed and the extent of eyelid surgery you need.
Prices for an eye lift range from about $2,000 for a simple procedure such as addressing both upper eyelids without removing fat, to $5,000 for a more complicated one such as surgery on all four eyelids, including removal of protruding fat. You can get information on apexmedtours.com with suitable deals.
These are estimates of surgeon’s fees only. Charges for an ambulatory surgery facility or in-office operating suite are additional and can range from $800 to $2,000 per procedure.
Eyelid surgery can be one of the most straightforward recoveries in facial plastic surgery. Typically there is some redness in the eyelid area which improved over the first 3-4 days. If the surgery is done carefully and proper preoperative precautions are taken (avoiding any blood-thinning medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Fish oil, Vitamin E, taking Arnica Montana and Brome lain starting one week before surgery), it is rare to see excessive bruising or black eyes.
It is extremely important to start icing your eyes immediately after surgery and to continue for the first 2-3 days after. Typically, I remove most of my stitches 4-5 days after surgery with the last stitches coming out 1 week after surgery. At that point, most patients are fine to return to work. If there is any redness in the incision, a concealed may be used for camouflage.