Blepharoplasty – A Definitive Guide to Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty Dubai | 13 May 2019
What causes eyelid problems?
As we get older, we start to lose elasticity in our skin as a natural part of the aging process. Because the face and the facial skin are often more exposed to environmental factors (such as sun, wind, pollution, etc.) than other parts of the body, it is often the first part of the body to show visible signs of aging and a loss of this elasticity.
The skin around the eye is very thin and delicate, and it is one of the places where aging skin will be most visible on the human body. As the skin around the eye loses elasticity, it will begin to stretch, and gravity will cause the stretched skin to pool above and below the eyes. On the top eyelid, this creates the appearance of ‘hooded’ or droopy eyelids. If the top eyelid sags too much, it can start to impede a person’s field of vision. On the bottom eyelid, the effect is slightly different. There are small fat deposits located under each of our eyes that helps to cushion the eye socket. When the lower eyelid skin begins to lose elasticity, this area will become more exposed and a bulge can appear under the eye. This is commonly referred to as ‘undereye bags’.
What can I expect from the surgery?
Eyelid surgery is a relatively short, uncomplicated procedure that is normally performed as a outpatient surgery.
In a typical eyelid surgery procedure, local anaesthetic will be applied to the eyelid and the surgeon will make several small, discreet incisions along the eyelids. Special care will be taken by your surgeon to ensure there will be minimal bleeding or scarring. The incisions will normally be hidden in the natural eyelid folds.
In an upper eyelid procedure (upper blepharoplasty), incisions will be made in the upper eyelid crease. In a lower eyelid surgery, the incision will be made just underneath the lash line of the lower eyelid. In some instances where no skin needs to be removed, the surgeon may be able to perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure, an incision is made from the inner side of the lower eyelid directly, and as a result there is no visible scarring.
Once the incisions are made, any excess of tissue (skin and/or fat) will be removed and the incision will be sealed with small sutures. The whole procedure will typically take between one to three hours.
The specifics of your eyelid surgery procedure will vary depending on the nature and severity of the eyelid issue that is being addressed and whether the surgery will be on your upper, lower, or both eyelids. Your surgeon will outline and explain all of the details of your particular procedure before the operation to make sure that you are prepared.
What can I expect after surgery?
Following surgery, you should arrange for someone to rive you home. As with any procedure that affects your vision, it is important that you allow sufficient time for recovery before you drive or undertake any activity that requires uncompromised vision.
As part of your recovery, you will need to ensure that you rest, elevate your head, and apply ice to the eye area to keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. Individual patients will experience pain differently, but the procedure should only cause mild pain. The recovery time from an upper eyelift can vary for individual patients, but the skin of the upper eyelid tends to heal quickly. Most patients find that they are able to return to normal activities within three to four days. Some patients may develop dry eyes for one to two weeks. If the dry eye symptoms persist for a longer period of time, you should discuss this with your surgeon.
Results from the surgery
It is important to remember that the full results from your eyelid surgery will not be immediate, and the final results may take several months to appear.
Long-term results
Eyelid surgery is a permanent procedure, but for some patients, the surgery may need to be repeated after a period of years. The eye area will naturally continue to age after the surgery, so you may find that the effects of your upper eyelid surgery gradual reduce with time. Upper eyelid surgery can be expected to last approximately 5-10 years. Lower eyelid surgery usually maintains for a longer period and rarely needs to be repeated.