Eyelid Blog

As people grow older, they experience drooping or sagging eyelids and for that reason, eyelid lift surgery has become very popular. You even find certain people who have droopy eyelids from birth and others who have developed myasthenia gravis, which is a disease that cause drooping eyelids. The surgery is normally done while the patient is awake, but he or she will be given medicine to relieve anxiety. The medical practitioner will inject the numbing medicine around the eye, so the patient does not feel any pain during surgery.

Eyelid surgery, also known as Eyelid lift or Blepharoplasty, is carried out by general plastic or facial plastic surgeons. Aside from droopy or sagging eyelids, the procedure is done for those who have dark circles or puffy bags under their eyes. Lower eyelid and upper eyelid surgery procedures are often carried out separately. Another popular eyelid surgery is the double eyelid surgery, which refers to the accentuation or the creation of an eyelid crease. This procedure, known as Asian Blepharoplasty, is often performed on Asian eyes and it is performed to make Asian eyelids look a lot more like Caucasian eyelids by adding a visible fold.
 
The objective of an eyelid lift surgery is to lift the eyelids and the surgeon will begin the treatment by making tiny cuts into the natural creases of the eyelids. Then, he or she will remove extra loose skin and additional fat tissue. Once the surgeon tightens the eyelid muscles, he or she will place stitches in the area of the eyelid. This type of surgery hardly requires the patient to be admitted and it is usually done in the surgeon’s office instead of an operating room.
 
As with any type of surgeries, there are risks and complications involved in the procedure. Below are just a few of the risks that are involved and they may, or may not, affect the patient:
 
• Slow process of recovery
• Visible whiteheads after stitches are eradicated
• Impermanent swelling of eyelids
• Loss of vision or damage to eyes (rare risk)
• Closing the eyes while sleeping might be difficult (normally temporarily)
• Blurred or double vision
• Irregular scarring or healing
 
People who are considering eyelid surgery should also learn about the medical conditions that make it more risky for them, such as:
 
• Thyroid problems – Hypothyroidism or Graves’ diseases
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure or other types of circulatory disorders
• Lack of tear production or dry eyes
• Disorders of blood vessels and/or heart disease
 
Additionally, the risks of anesthesia may or may not include reactions to medicines and breathing difficulties. Other risks are infection and bleeding during and after surgery.
 
Patients who have undergone eyelid surgery will generally get their stitches removed within three to four days post-surgery, whereas the small pieces of tape are removed within seven days. The patients are able to return to work in the next eight to 10 days, but female patients are advised to use make-up after the eighth day of the recovery period. With the surgeon’s approval and clearance, patients can resume normal activities within three to four weeks.
 
People who are opting for eyelid lift surgery have the option of going through a laser eyelid surgery, but the risks and complications are said to be higher than the traditional surgery. It is advisable for patients to research various surgeons and medical centers prior to the surgery. Obtain as much information as possible to avoid any unwanted discrepancies after the surgery. Research can be done via the Internet, which is easy, quick, and informative.