Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery is performed to give a more youthful appearance to the eyes. The effects of aging on the face frequently appear first around the eyes, often in ones 30s or 40s, resulting in a tired appearance. The upper and the lower eyelids, or either set alone, may be involved. In either situation, there is usually an excess of both skin and fat (bulging) around the eyes. On the upper eyelids it is frequently the excess skin that is the most noticeable and is most easily corrected; upper eyelid skin can sag to the point that it obstructs vision. On the lower eyelids the most obvious problem typically is the excess fat. These fat bags can be hereditary, starting as early as the teens. The removal of excess skin and fat produces a significant improvement in the appearance of the eyes and the entire face.

Eyelid surgery can be performed by itself or in association with other procedures. Incisions are placed in natural creases; in the deepest crease on the upper eyelids, and just under the lashes on the lower lids. The scars are fine, pale, and barely noticeable when healed. They can be easily covered with makeup, although this is not necessary. When surgery on the lower eyelids is being performed for excess fat exclusively (i.e., not to tighten that skin), it is possible to use an increasingly popular variant of the procedure that leaves no scars on the external skin (the incisions are inside the lower eyelids). In this case, resurfacing can be performed at the same time to improve the appearance of the skin around the lower eyelids.

The surgery usually takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours and is almost always performed under local anesthesia with some sedation (unless it is being performed in association with other procedures). The stitches are usually removed 3-4 days after surgery.

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