Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery

What is Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery?

Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery 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. Sometimes eyelids are so heavy as to interfere with vision and in this case it is considered reconstructive surgery.

Am I a candidate for Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery?

Good candidates are:

• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for blepharoplasty
• Individuals without serious eye conditions
• Individuals who have loss of visual field as recorded by a visual field test performed by their optometrist or ophthalmologist

How is Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery done?

Step 1 - Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 - The incision

The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed for scars to be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region.

Droopy conditions of the upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease of the upper eyelid allowing repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles and tissue, and/or removal of excess skin.

Conditions of the lower eyelid may be corrected with an incision just below the lower lash line. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelids is removed.

A transconjunctival incision, one hidden inside the lower eyelid, is an alternate technique to correct lower eyelid conditions and redistribute or remove excess fat.

Step 3 - Closing the incisions

Eyelid incisions typically are closed with:

• Removable or absorbable sutures
• Skin adhesives

Step 4 - See the results

The results of eyelid surgery will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal a smooth, better-defined eyelid and surrounding region, and an alert and rejuvenated appearance.