An Introduction to Eyelid Surgery

One of the first things people notice about one another are their eyes, and this is also an area that tends to show the earliest signs of aging as well. Whether the individual has lost the elasticity in the skin around the eye or whether under eye bags detract from the looks of the eye area, the surgery known as blepharoplasty can help.

Blepharoplasty is also simply called eyelid surgery, and it can provide several major benefits. It will remove the extra skin or fat beneath the eye that is causing the look of bagginess, it can repair damages done from ptosis which often allows the upper eyelid to block or impede vision, and it can even help in areas of nerve or muscle damage.

What makes surgery on the eyelids so remarkable is the fact that it is often something accomplished on an outpatient basis and which can be completed under general anesthesia. This means that many surgeons can perform the necessary steps right in their office and send the patient home the same day.

It is significant to understand that common complaints about the area surrounding the eye, including brow lines, crow’s feet, and smile lines are not treatable through eyelid surgery. Instead, a brow lift or facelift is the best way to resolve such issues. If, however, a patient has developed a problem with the upper or lower lids that leads to an unappealing appearance or some sort of visual impairment, it is going to generally be addressed through the blepharoplasty process.

It is necessary for the patient and their physician to develop a good plan for addressing all of the possible results from eyelid surgery and to understand if someone is a good candidate or not. For instance, people who suffer from chronic dry eye tend to be unable to use blepharoplasty to eliminate the extra skin in the eyelids. Only a qualified plastic surgeon will be able to assess a patient for suitability.