Lower Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is usually done to remove eye bags. Upper eyelid surgery is aimed at lifting drooping lids or removing wrinkles. Your eyes are a key feature and often are a giveaway of the ageing process so this is a popular procedure with both men and women.
The technical term for eyelid surgery is a blepharoplasty. Your eyes are a key feature and often are a giveaway of the ageing process so this is a popular procedure with both men and women. Upper eyelid surgery is aimed at lifting drooping lids or removing wrinkles and lower eyelid surgery is usually done to remove eye bags.
It is often performed as part of a facelift. Laser treatments are being used as an alternative to traditional surgery. What eyelid surgery will not do is remove dark circles, eradicate crow's feet or raise drooping eyebrows. There are other procedures that are aimed at these problems.
Eyelid surgery: Am I suitable?
The usual age limit is 35 years and upwards although it is suitable for younger people who suffer from overly large pouches under the eyes or drooping eyelids. Obviously you have to be in general good health, with realistic expectations, but there are a few medical conditions that can increase the risk of complications, including 'dry eye', diabetes, glaucoma and detached retina.
Eyelid surgery: What do I have to do to prepare?
Your surgeon will give you instructions to help you prepare for surgery and these may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. While making preparations for eyelid surgery, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed.
Eyelid surgery: What's the treatment like?
Upper eyelid surgery can take up to three hours to perform – an incision is made in the natural crease of the eye and then the surgeon will remove excess fat and tighten sagging muscles and skin before closing the incision. In lower eyelid surgery, a cut is made just below the lower lashes and a small amount of fat is removed and then excess skin and muscles are tightened up.
These operations can be combined. Laser eyelid surgery is becoming increasingly popular as using a laser to create the incision rather than a scalpel means that blood vessels are cauterised, minimising the amount of bleeding and subsequent side effects.
The cutting laser is then used to excise the extra skin and fat in the upper and lower eyelids and then a fractional laser can resurface the eyelid skin to remove fine wrinkles and improve texture.
Eyelid surgery: What about after?
There will be some bruising and swelling which will last up to two weeks but you should be able to return to work about a week post procedure.
Eyelid surgery: Are there any risks or side effects?
Just like any surgery there are risks involved and they include more serious problems – hematoma, where blood accumulates beneath the skin, retinal detachment and ectropian which causes the affected area to droop and may require additional procedures to correct – through to less serious issues such as itchy, burning or watering eyes and swelling and bruising.
Eyelid surgery: What will it cost me?
From £2,000 to £4,500
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