LOWER EYELID BLEPHAROPLASTY

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Your eyes are often the first thing that people notice about you, and are an important aspect of your overall appearance. Your eyelid skin is smooth, but over time, the eyelid skin stretches, the fat bulges forward, and the muscles weaken. The eyebrows may also droop and sag (a condition called brow ptosis). Age, heredity and sun exposure all contribute to this process.

Loose or baggy lids detract from your overall appearance and make you look tired or older. When the brow droops, it crowds more skin down over the upper lids and exaggerates the hooding and crow's feet at the outer corners of the eyes, making you look sad, tired, or angry. When severe enough, the upper eyelid skin may hang over the lashes and obstruct peripheral vision.

SURGICAL TREATMENT

Surgery to improve the appearance of the eyelids is called blepharoplasty. The goal of blepharoplasty is to give the eyes a more youthful look by removing excess skin, bulging fat, and lax muscle from the upper and lower lids. If the sagging skin obstructs peripheral vision, blepharoplasty can eliminate the obstruction and expand the visual field.

Fat in the lower lid can be removed or repositioned through an incision hidden on the inner surface of the lid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). Laser resurfacing or a chemical peel can be performed at the same time if desired, to smooth and tighten the lower lid skin.

If there is excessive skin in the lower lid, the incision is made just below the lashes. Fat can be removed or repositioned through this incision and the excess skin is removed. The incision is then closed with fine sutures.

AFTER SURGERY

Cold compresses are applied to reduce swelling and bruising. Antibiotic ointment will be prescribed. Strenuous activity should be minimized for several days. Discomfort is generally mild. Non-aspirin pain relievers are usually all that is necessary postoperatively. Aspirin products, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, and other blood thinners should be avoided before and after surgery as they may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Most patients are able to return to regular activities within several days.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Excessive pain, bleeding, infection, or visual loss are extremely rare and have never occurred in any of Dr. Kohn's surgeries. As with any medical procedure, there may be other inherent risks that should be discussed with your surgeon.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery can provide both a more youthful appearance and functional improvement with minimal risk.

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