Eyelid Cosmetic Surgery Overview (Eye Lift)

The eyes are the windows to the soul. Open eyes suggest alertness, interest and energy. Many people in their early to mid 30s begin to notice a tired appearance around their eyes.

This is most commonly attributed to a fullness or puffiness of their eyelids, caused by the accumulation of excess skin and/or fat.

This fat is independent of body weight. This condition can be remedied with cosmetic eyelid surgery. Cosmetic eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) can help restore a more youthful and rested appearance to the eyes. This cosmetic surgery procedure involves removing excessive skin or fatty tissue of the eyelids.

Upper blepharoplasty opens the upper eyelid. Lower blepharoplasty involves tightening the wrinkled skin under the eyes, and removing the bulging heaviness under the eyes, which is usually done without an external skin incision.

Laser resurfacing or chemical peel to tighten the skin often accompanies blepharoplasty. Anti-wrinkle injections are often used to reduce wrinkles as well to remove crows feet and frown lines. In the vast majority cases general anaesthesia is used. However, in some cases, local anaesthesia with intravenous sedation may be used. Patients return to work within a week generally, and the cosmetic surgery procedures provide long-term improvement over years.

The first consideration is whether the problem is due to drooping eyelids only, or drooping eyebrows. If the eyebrows need lifting, this will open the eyes and lift the expression. It may avoid the need for eyelid Surgery. There are other conditions, however, such as allergy, fluid retention and thyroid disease, which must be ruled out before surgery because blepharoplasty will not substantially improve these situations.

Those individuals with special ophthalmic problems such as dry eye syndrome, glaucoma or detached retina may be surgical candidates but require additional evaluation by an eye doctor.