Blepharoplasty - Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery also known as blepharoplasty, improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and gives a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert. It is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and give a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert. The eyes are the focus focal point of contact when we meet. The smallest change catches the eye. Age associated changes invariably appear around the eyes. Skin looses its elasticity and tone due to changes in collagen and elastin fibres, ground substance in dermis resulting in redundant tissue in upper and lower eyelids. This leads to hooding of upper eyelids. There is decrease of subcutaneous fat. Fine lines and wrinkles appear especially at the lateral end of the eye called 'crows feet'. Relaxation of connective tissue leads to prolapse of fat. This may overstretch the orbital septum and lead to dehiscence or weakness of levator aponeurosis leading to Ptosis. Skin may thicken, is dry, pigmented and skin tumors may develop.

Natural aging process which is a continuous process starts around thirties. This is called intrinsic aging or inherent aging process, it depends on genetic inheritance. Aging is also due to extrinsic factors like excessive sun exposure, repetitive facial expression, gravity and smoking. Even sleeping postures can influence the aging changes.

The various symptoms with which patients present for blepharoplasty are vague. They complain of a feeling of heavy eyelids, restriction of visual fields especially on looking upwards, tiredness, pressure on lashes, sometimes visual axis blocked by eyelashes, headache due to constant lifting of the eyebrows. In the lower eyelid an appearance of tiredness without being tired, bagginess, prolapse of the fat, wrinkles and lax skin are the main issues leading to a desire for a change and improved aesthetics. Occasionally patients complain that when they look down a sort of obstruction comes in their field. Some times they come with specific complaints of wanting improvement in appearance. Blepharoplasty is done most often to improve the appearance of the patient. Hence the motivation and expectations of the patient must be well understood.

Specifically, eyelid surgery can treat loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision, excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids, bags under the eyes, droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye), excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid. You must tell your doctor if you have any of these medical conditions eye disease such as glaucoma, dry eye or a detached retina, thyroid disorders such as Graves' disease and under or overactive thyroid or cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders or diabetes. Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Blepharoplasty may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.

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