5 Things to Know About Eyelid Surgery

Formally known as “blepharoplasty”, eyelid surgery is a common procedure that is used to remove excess fat and skin of eyelids in order to make our eyes look young and beautiful again. Even though it is mostly done for aesthetic reasons, the surgery can be used to treat some vision problems too. Here are some basic things to know about “blepharoplasty” or eyelid surgery: What Can Be Fixed with Eyelid Surgery? Our skin naturally loses its elasticity as we age which leads to sagging of our skin. Eyelid surgery is used to fix the sagginess of our eyelids for aesthetic and medical reasons. Here are some things that eyelid surgery can fix:

• Bagginess under the lower eyelids that lead to wrinkles and bulges.
• Excess skin from upper eyelids that cause folds.
• Fatty deposits that cause puffiness.
• Drooping lower eyelids.

Is Eyelid Surgery Risky? The risks of eyelid surgery are very minimal even though some side effects like swelling, dry eyes, sensitivity to the sun, and infection may occur. However, your surgeon will be able to minimize any side effects that you experience due to the procedure. What happens during the procedure?

• Before the surgery starts, the patient is put under anaesthesia. The patient’s eyes are measured by the surgeon before the surgery and their tear gland is also tested to ensure the procedure goes smoothly.
• During the surgery, the surgeon creates an incision within the natural folds of the upper eyelid. A similar incision is made below the lower lash line of the lower eyelid. The extra fat deposits and skin are removed during the procedure leading to the tightening of the patient’s skin.

• Once the extra fat has been removed successfully, the incisions are then closed with stitches or glue.

How Much Time Does it Take to Recover from Eyelid Surgery? 

 Eyelid surgeries are usually completed under two hours. However, after the patient is done with the surgery, he or she can expect stitches in both eyelids that may have to remain for as long as a week. It is common to experience swelling or bruising during the recovery period. Ideally, the patient should recover within a eye from the surgery’s completion. Eyelid Surgery is not for Everyone Like all forms of surgeries, even eyelid surgeries have some limitations and not everyone is suitable for it. Here are some of the factors that can disqualify people from being a candidate for eyelid surgeries:

• Diseases such as glaucoma, dry eyes, or a detached retina.
• High blood pressure.
• Diabetes.

Even minor conditions like dry eyes or blurred vision can be symptoms of serious underlying vision problems. You should consult with your surgeon to clearly asses if you can be a candidate for eyelid surgery. Smoking Can Prolong the Recovery Period of Eyelid Surgeries Smoking is bad for our general health and also for the health of our eyes. A long list of diseases can be caused due to smoking and unsurprisingly, it is harmful in the context of eyelid surgeries too. For smokers, the recovery period of eyelid surgeries can be prolonged. Always consult with your doctor before undergoing any kind of surgery, you may ask your doctor any other questions you may have about eyelid surgeries to get a better idea about the procedure.

Article: 5 Things to Know About Eyelid Surgery
Author: Dr Mukesh Sharma   |   Apr 02 2019 | UPDATED 02:00 IST

*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.