| Eyelid surgery, both for upper and lower eyelids, is | | | | the lower eyelid). Since the incision is on the inside of |
| called blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty can be either | | | | the lower eyelid, there is no visible scarring. The ideal |
| functional or cosmetic in nature. The procedure can | | | | patient for cosmetic lower eyelid surgery for fat |
| be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or | | | | removal is younger, with minimal lower eyelid skin |
| both at the same time. | | | | aging and laxity. This procedure can be combined |
| Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed for patients | | | | with laser treatments of the skin and/or chemical |
| that have excess skin of their upper eyelids, with | | | | peels. |
| possible fat (herniated orbital fat) coming forward. | | | | Another approach to cosmetic lower eyelid surgery is |
| When the fat comes forward, it causes puffy upper | | | | to make an incision along the lower eyelid margin right |
| eyelids. Upper eyelid surgery can be performed | | | | below the eyelash line. With this approach, the laxity |
| in-office under a local anesthesia injection with minimal | | | | of the lower eyelid skin can be addressed along with |
| discomfort and takes just under an hour. An incision | | | | fat removal. In some cases, there can also be fat |
| is made in the upper eyelid crease. This is done with | | | | repositioning of the lower eyelid to correct for tear |
| either a surgical knife, CO2 laser, or Elman | | | | trough deformities. A tear trough deformity is an |
| radio-frequency. Whichever type of incision is made, | | | | indentation at the orbital rim or the lower eyelid |
| it is done perfectly within the upper eyelid crease. If | | | | connection to the cheek which becomes more |
| a new crease must be made, it is a much more | | | | prominent as a person ages and the cheeks drop. |
| difficult surgery and must be discussed in detail with | | | | This deformity can cause dark circles around your |
| the patient prior to the procedure, as a new upper | | | | lower eyelids to become more pronounced. Injecting |
| eyelid crease can change a person’s eye | | | | dermal fillers (Juvederm Ultra, Perlane, Radiesse) in |
| appearance completely. | | | | this area, in conjunction with cosmetic lower eyelid |
| Since an incision must be made in the upper eyelid | | | | surgery, can help to greatly resolve this deformity. |
| crease, there is going to be a scar in that area. Some | | | | The surgical incision made with this type of lower |
| people often have a misconception that there will be | | | | eyelid surgery is called a subcilliary incision and heals |
| no scarring with upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Scarring | | | | beautifully with very little scarring. A patient may lose |
| will happen, but the scar for upper eyelid surgery is | | | | some eyelashes during a cosmetic lower eyelid |
| very inconspicuous. Although a hint of a scar may | | | | blepharoplasty, but the lashes re-grow with usually no |
| remain, it will take a few weeks to months for the | | | | complications. The lower eyelid region is also very |
| surgical scarring to dissipate. Recovery time for upper | | | | vascular, which can cause easy bruising and bleeding. |
| eyelid blepharoplasty varies but usually takes one to | | | | Recovery time for lower eyelid surgery varies but |
| two weeks. | | | | usually takes two to three weeks because of the |
| When considering upper eyelid surgery, the excess | | | | sensitivity of the lower eyelids. |
| amount of upper eyelid skin should be evaluated for | | | | As there is with any type of surgical procedure, |
| removal prior to surgery. The surgeon, preferable a | | | | there are risks and complications associated with |
| board-certified oculoplastic surgeon, has to make sure | | | | upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty. These |
| not to take too much of the upper eyelid skin, since | | | | complications, although not common, can include, but |
| that could interfere with the proper blinking function | | | | are not limited to: |
| of the upper eyelid. If not done properly, one could | | | | - Bleeding |
| develop severe dry eye syndrome and other more | | | | - Infection |
| serious complications. In addition to removing | | | | - Change of eyelid function |
| excessive upper eyelid skin, the removal of too much | | | | - Change in eyelid appearance |
| upper eyelid fat can cause a hollow appearance, | | | | - Scarring |
| which is called a superior sulcus deformity. Most | | | | - Ectropion (eyelids turning away from the eye) |
| board-certified oculoplastic surgeons will try to save | | | | - Entropion (eyelids turning towards the eye) |
| as much fat as possible by sculpting the fat instead | | | | - Loss of eyelashes |
| of removing it. This helps to minimize upper eyelid | | | | - Trichiasis (misdirected eyelashes) |
| complications. | | | | - Dry eye syndrome |
| There are multiple approaches to performing lower | | | | - Blindness |
| eyelid blepharoplasty, which is considered mainly a | | | | When considering upper and/or lower eyelid |
| cosmetic procedure. Lower eyelid surgeries are | | | | blepharoplasty, it is recommended that you choose a |
| safest to perform within an outpatient surgical center | | | | board-certified oculoplastic surgeon. This is typically an |
| under the administration of a mild anesthetic and | | | | ophthalmologist who has been certified in plastic |
| usually takes about an hour to perform. In some | | | | surgery in and around the eyes. It is very important |
| lower eyelid surgeries, only fat needs to be removed | | | | for a surgeon to be familiar with the eyes and their |
| to help the appearance. In these cases, a surgeon | | | | functionality to best perform upper and lower eyelid |
| makes an incision through the conjunctiva (inside of | | | | surgery. |
