procedure

Eyelid
Surgery

Procedure overview

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) rejuvenates the upper and/ or lower eyelids by removing excess fat, skin and muscle. Generally, the surgeon initially works on the patient’s upper eyelids before he or she moves to the lower eyelids. Once the surgeon removes extra muscle, skin or fat, he or she sutures the incision closed with a fine suture. For the lower eyelid, an incision is made just below the lash line, and the eyelid fat is either excised or redraped. The lower lid skin is then tightened and hitched into the correct position, before trimming a small amount of excess skin and closing the incision.

Procedure length

The procedure usually requires an hour to hour and a half of operating time.

Anesthesia

The procedure can also be performed under local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia where the patient is asleep.

Inpatient / Outpatient

This is usually an outpatient procedure and the patient is discharged the same day.

Possible Side Effects

Temporary discomfort, feeling of “tightness” in the eyelid area, swelling or bruising. Excessive tearing and sensitivity to light for the first few weeks should be expected. Temporary dryness, burning, or itching of eyes may also occur but these side effects are rare.

Common Complications

Infection, bleeding, swelling of the eyelids, temporary blurred or double vision, dry eyes, formation of whiteheads, slight asymmetry in healing or scarring, difficulty in closing eyes completely (which is rarely permanent), and a lowered position of the lower eyelid of the lower lids which may require further surgery. Permanent loss of vision is a risk but this is extremely rare.

Recovery

The patient may begin reading after about two to three days and can expect to return to work at approximately five to ten days when most of the swelling of the eyelids have subsided. Use of contact lens may be resumed after two weeks (upon re-evaluation by the physician). Bruising and swelling should be gone after several weeks.

Results

Improvements of eyelid appearance may last several years or may be permanent.