Eyelid Surgery

Droopy, puffy eyelids can make people look tired, older, and less healthy. Eyelid drooping may also lead to impaired vision. If you want to improve the appearance of your eyelids and increase eye health in general, eyelid surgery at Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – a division of U.S. Dermatology Partners may be the right option for you. On this page, you can learn more about eyelid surgery, including the many benefits and what to expect from the healing and recovery process.

What Is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that improves the appearance of sagging or puffy eyelids. This procedure can be performed for the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both. Upper and/or lower eyelid surgery can improve the appearance of sagging, skin laxity, fatty deposits, bags, puffiness, drooping eyelids, and excess skin. It may also be recommended to repair ptosis, a condition in which the upper eyelid droops and negatively impacts vision. The procedure is performed by making incisions along the eye’s natural creases. Then, the surgeon will remove the excess skin, muscles, and fat and reposition as necessary to achieve desired results. For best results, your plastic surgeon may recommend eyelid surgery be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments. Specifically, a brow lift is often recommended along with the blepharoplasty procedure to improve the overall appearance of the eyebrow and eyelids.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

The main benefit of eyelid surgery is the cosmetic improvement, but there are many other reasons why blepharoplasty is such a popular treatment, including:

• Long-Lasting Results – The results of your eyelid surgery should last more than a decade.
• Improved Vision – Removing excess skin and lifting sagging eyelids can make vision clearer.
• Minimized Scarring – Because the incision is made in the eyelid crease, any scarring is hardly noticeable.
• Increased Confidence – When we look our best, we feel more confident and self-assured.

Recovery After Eyelid Surgery

Following surgery on the upper and lower eyelids, your surgeon will carefully apply ointment to aid in healing and prevent irritation and discomfort. Depending on the extent of the procedure, iced gauze may be applied over the eyes for the first few hours or days. Topical and oral medications will be provided by your surgeon to promote healing, prevent infection, and reduce discomfort. Follow all instructions provided by your surgeon and protect your eyes from sun exposure as they heal. Most people are able to return to their daily routine with some minor adjustments after the first two weeks. Exercise, heavy lifting, and general exertion should still be minimized until released by the surgeon. Initial healing will usually take a few weeks, but the surgical site will continue to improve for three to six months. Throughout healing, you will return to your surgery practice for follow-up visits to ensure you’re healing properly.

Risks Associated with Eyelid Surgery

Making the choice to receive cosmetic surgery should never be undertaken lightly. Even performed by a skilled surgeon, surgical procedures involve risk. Be sure to discuss potential risks and side effects with your surgeon before beginning the procedure.

Common risks associated with eyelid surgery include the following:

• Bleeding around the incision
• Bruising and swelling
• Pain or irritation
• Dry eye
• Lower eyelid rolling out (ectropion)
• Infection
• Sun sensitivity
• Scarring