Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper Blepharoplasty
The signs of aging show up first on the eyelids, which have the thinnest skin of the body. The skin on the upper eyelid sags in time with the effect of gravity. Also, wrinkles start to show and eye bags develop. These give the individual a tired, sad, and old expression. Besides, the excess skin may cause visual field restriction, which poses a functional problem.
Individuals over 40 years of age with saggy upper and lower eyelids or eye bags may think about having the surgical correction. With this surgery, called blepharoplasty, the excess skin and fat tissue on the eyelid are removed.
In the procedure, the surgeon hides the incision in the natural fold of the upper eyelid. The excess skin and fat tissue are removed, so the existing membrane in front of the fat tissue causing herniation is strengthened. Also, for the lower eyelid, incisions can be made just below the eyelashes. In younger patients, whose problem is the under-eye bags only, it is possible to make this incision inside the eyelid.
The operation requires local anesthesia or sedation. Patients are generally discharged on the same day. Sutures are removed in 5 days. Patients can get back to work 3 days later. 2 weeks later, they can start to wear their contact lenses. Generally, the eyelids are the areas where the scars start to disappear fastest, so they are barely visible in about 6 months.
If too much skin is removed, the surgeon has difficulties closing the incision, and lasting scars may occur. While excessive removal of the fat tissue may cause pitting in the upcoming years, its inadequate reconstruction may lead to recurrence of the under-eye bags. If the surgeon fails to provide the support for the lower eyelid, the eye corners may become rounded, or the white of the eye (the sclera) start to show excessively.
