Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty

How does it work?

Performed under local anaesthetic, blepharoplasty can be both a functional or cosmetic surgical procedure. It aims to reshape the upper eyelid or lower eyelid by the removal and/or repositioning of excess tissue, as well as by reinforcement of surrounding muscles
and tendons.

For upper eyelids, an incision is made in the upper eyelid crease where the eyelid folds naturally when eyes are opened. This scar will become almost imperceptible with time. The excess skin is then removed in a crescent shape above this line, along with any excess muscle or fat. The wound is then closed. In some instances this will be a dissolving suture and in other instances, the sutures will need to be removed in approximately one week.

With lower lids, the incision in the lower lid is made on the inside of the eyelid. Therefore there is no visible scar once it is healed. Any fat is removed through this incision. This procedure may be done with a laser. If there is a lot of excess skin once the fat has been removed, the skin may require revising. This will mean a very fine incision line under the lower lashes to the outer corner of the eye. 



What can be achieved?

Surgery on the upper eyelids can improve peripheral vision, which is important in activities such as reading and driving. It also creates the appearance of eyes being more open and alert.

Lower eyelid surgery is generally done for cosmetic reasons, to remove puffy skin referred
to as ‘bags’.

Treatment info

The typical procedure is a day stay and performed under intravenous sedation. The eyeball itself will be protected completely during the procedure with a metal shield. Antibiotic ointment is administered during the procedure to avoid any infection.

After treatment

Dressings will be removed after 24 hours so as to enable showering. Patients will need to take a few days off work. Most people recover within seven days. By the end of the first week the eyes may still be a bit swollen, but improving every day. Sutures will be removed at approximately day five.

By the end of the second week most of the bruising will have disappeared, sutures will have dissolved and patients can start to think about resuming normal activities, including non-strenuous work. Makeup can be worn to conceal any discolouration.

After one month exercise can be resumed. It can take up to 12 weeks to see the true result.