What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is an operation, which removes excess skin (dermatochalasis) from the upper eyelids.
The surgery involves removing excess skin, bulging fat and lax muscles from the upper lids. If the sagging skin obstructs peripheral vision, blepharoplasty can eliminate this obstruction. Expanding the visual field.
Excess skin and fat are removed from the upper lid through a cut hidden in the natural eyelid crease. If the upper lid is droopy, the muscle that raises the lid can be tightened at the same time (ptosis surgery). The cut is then closed with fine stitches.
What are the Causes of Excess Upper Eyelid Skin?
Excess skin can often occur due to ageing changes. The eyelid appearance may also be typical for your family. Chronic exposure to sunlight and cigarette smoking can also worsen natural aging changes to the eyelid. Sometimes episodes of swelling of the eyelid due to infection or allergy may also stretch the skin.
How is Blepharoplasty Carried Out?
The surgery removes the excess skin from across the long crease on the eyelid. Removing from this location allows the scar to sit within the eyelids natural crease. Eyelids normally heal very well, and the wound should be hidden in the natural skin crease of the eyelid.
What are the Potential Risks of Blepharoplasty Surgery?
Infection
This is very rare; occasionally the stitches may have an infective or inflammatory response, which settles with oral and topical antibiotics.
Scarring
This is normally hidden in the natural skin crease of the eyelid. Stitches may be visible for the first week, then, when they are removed, a faint scar is visible. The scar may seem a bit thickened & red for 6 to 12 weeks, becoming almost invisible after that period. Not every scar heals equally well. A thickened or reddened scar can be improved with silicone scar remodelling gel, but the treatment needs to be continued for months to have a good result.
Bruising
This is minimised by following the instructions on the post-operative information sheet. A haematoma may mean you have to go back into theatre to have the blood clot evacuated and then be re-stitched with the risk of a worse scar.
Theoretical risk to vision
Any eyelid surgery carries the risk that an undiagnosed infection or bleed could damage the optic nerve. This is incredibly rare.
Asymmetry of eyelid shape, height or upper lid fold
This is rare, but can occur. Often asymmetry may be due to lid bruising and settles spontaneously as swelling resolves. Rarely, this may require revision surgery. Occasionally pre-existing asymmetry of the face, eyebrow or eyeball position, may be responsible, however this will be discussed with you prior to the operation by your surgeon.
Temporary poor blink
The muscle that shuts the eyelid has been cut to access the muscle that lifts the eyelid. Generally, blink returns to normal within 12 weeks.
Dry eye
This is treated with artificial tear drops which you will be asked to continue for a month after surgery.
Droopy eyelid or ptosis
Droopy eyelid or ptosis can happen rarely and will need to be corrected by re-operation.
Post Surgery Care
Please see the “POST OPERATIVE EYELID CARE” leaflet for post-surgery care instructions.
Contact us at The Medical Eye Clinic for more information about Blepharoplasty.