Eyelid Surgery
“The eyes are the window to the soul.”
Although there is some debate over the origins of this quote, there is no doubt about its truth. Our eyes are how we connect with other people. They can captivate and cajole. Our eyes reflect our state of mind.
And our eyelids are a crucial part of both the appearance and proper functioning of our eyes.
Many people become concerned when their eyes no longer look the way they once did. Puffy eyelids can make you look older than you are. You may appear tired even when you’re not. Your self-confidence can suffer as a result.
Your well-being can also be affected. Drooping eyelids can impede your vision over time. You can lose the ability to blink properly and cleanse your eyes effectively.
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, can provide a solution. This is a surgical procedure that reinvigorates the look of your eyelids and corrects the problems that they may be causing.
Talk to Australian Medical Travel about the eyelid blepharoplasty surgery solutions we provide.
Why might I need eyelid surgery?
There are several factors that can combine to affect how your eyelids look and work. The result may be that they droop or sag. Or you may get puffy bags under your eyes or lines around your lower eyelids. You might also have a problem in seeing your eyelashes and applying eye makeup. If any of these are the case, blepharoplasty surgery may be the solution.
Causes
Ageing is the most common reason why you might need a blepharoplasty procedure. Genetics can also play a part.
As you get older, your skin becomes less resilient and elastic. This means that the skin on your eyelids begins to stretch and results in excess folds. Called upper eyelid ptosis, this can make you look older than you are. It can also affect your vision when your eyelid droops onto your eyelashes. The levator muscle in your upper eyelids can also deteriorate with age or as a result of genetics. This causes lines and wrinkles to appear which creates a tired or dispirited look.
Muscle deterioration can also create bags around your eyes and puffy lower eyelids. This is known as infraorbital edema. The weakened muscles allow small amounts of fat to protrude through the skin. This is the cause of puffiness in the lower eyelids. This can also result from fat moving from the upper eye area to below the eyes, or an excess fluid buildup.
Ageing can also lead to bones around the eye sockets atrophying. This increases the size of the eye socket and makes the skin sag or become wrinkled. The effect is to make you look older and less energised.
The way in which you care for your skin and eyes can also have an impact. Frequent exposure to the sun can damage your eyelids. As can wearing too much make-up or rubbing too vigorously when you remove it. Late nights or staring at a computer screen for too long can also cause drooping or puffy eyelids.
The benefits of blepharoplasty
The most immediate benefit of the surgery is that your eyes look healthy once again. It can do away with some of the more obvious signs of ageing. Your eyes can open fully once more so that you don’t always look tired.
Lower blepharoplasty surgery can also remove sagging and puffy skin on your bottom eyelids. This creates a more youthful appearance and removes the permanent look of fatigue. (However, it will not eliminate all lines and wrinkles around your eyes. Other non-surgical treatments are available for this.)
There is also a form of the procedure known as East Asian blepharoplasty or Double Eyelid Surgery. This reshapes the eye area to create a natural-looking crease in the eyelid when the eyes are open. This makes them look larger. People with Asian heritage most often opt for double eyelid surgery.
Eyelid blepharoplasty can also help to improve your vision. Drooping eyelids can cover part of the eye and restrict how well you can see. Upper eyelid surgery will rectify this so that you can see properly once more.
Who can get eyelid plastic surgery?
There are no age limits on who can undergo eyelid surgery. In most cases, patients will be forty years or older. However, it is not uncommon for younger people to undergo the procedure. There are some medical conditions that may preclude you from this procedure.
Arrange an assessment with Australian Medical Travel if you are considering under eye cosmetic surgery or an upper blepharoplasty procedure. We can advise you whether this type of eyelid reduction surgery is right for you.
Types of eyelid correction surgery
Upper Blepharoplasty Surgery
Upper blepharoplasty surgery removes excess or stretched skin from the upper eyelid. This eliminates puffiness and impediments to vision caused by drooping eyelids.
Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
This is a form of bottom eyelid surgery that reduces bags and wrinkles under your eyes. Lower blepharoplasty is also referred to as under eye surgery.
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
An upper and lower blepharoplasty will include both hooded upper eyelid surgery and droopy lower eyelid surgery.
Asian Double Eyelid Surgery
The double eyelid surgery procedure creates a crease in the upper eyelid which makes eyes appear to be larger.
How is eyelid surgery performed?
The surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic but general anaesthetic may be used.
The procedure involves making incisions either in the crease of the upper eyelids or behind/beneath the eyelashes in the lower eyelid. The exact position will depend on the type of blepharoplasty procedure you are undergoing. Excess fat and skin are then removed from the eyelids. The skin is then retightened on the muscles around the eyes (known as re-draping).
Incisions are made in strategic positions so that scarring is concealed within the natural structure of your eyes. They are closed with sutures which are usually removed between 5 – 8 days after the procedure (although this can vary). You will be able to see the effects of your eyelid surgery as any swelling subsides.
How much eyelid surgery recovery time do I need?
The precise amount of time required for eyelid surgery recovery will depend on the individual patient.
As a general rule, you can expect to return to work or your normal routine within 7 to 10 days. It may take up to four weeks before you can resume more strenuous activity.
Incisions are made to hide potential scarring from eyelids surgery as much as possible. The rate at which these fade after blepharoplasty will depend on the individual patient.
Australian Medical Travel specialises in accessing first rate upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery. We also provide outstanding post-procedure eyelid blepharoplasty recovery accommodation and care.
Talk to us about the full range of upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery and double eyelid surgery services we can arrange.
