Eyelid Surgery 101: Everything You Need to Know

As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes is usually the first place to develop lines and sagging. While facial injections and dermal fillers can do the trick, sometimes they do not get rid of the problem. And, you may need cosmetic eyelid surgery near you to eliminate the sagging, puffy or drooping eyelids. Visiting an optometrist in Glendale is important before you settle to getting eyelid surgery. The eye doctor will examine your eyes and determine which surgical procedure is ideal.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery or eye lift is a surgical procedure done to correct the upper, lower, or both eyelids. This cosmetic procedure is recommended for people who have drooping eyelids or bags under the eyes. Drooping eyelids may not only affect your overall facial appearance but can obstruct your vision.

How is it Done?

Eyelid surgery should be done by a qualified and licensed surgeon. The doctor will anesthetize the area around the eyes to ease discomfort. IV sedation may be used to keep you calm and ease the pain. You may doze off a little, which makes it easy for the doctor to perform the procedure. The type of procedure done will depend on the eyelid affected.

• • Ptosis repair or correction surgery

Ptosis occurs when one or both of the upper eyelids droop, affecting the peripheral or central vision. It also causes the face to look uneven or tired.

A child can be born with ptosis, which at times may interfere with sharp vision development. The eyelid surgery to correct ptosis in children is done between ages three and five.

In adults, ptosis may develop after having eyelid swelling or other types of eye surgery. The ophthalmologist will shorten the eyelid to strengthen the muscle and lift the eyelid. This will improve the vision and your eyelid appearance.

• • Blepharoplasty

This procedure involves removing excess skin, fat, or muscle. Excess fat tends to gather above and below the eyelid leading to the formation of sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids, or bags under the eyes. This problem can occur on anyone, but it is mostly influenced by age.

Other than making you look older, sagging skin can reduce your side vision. Blepharoplasty is done to reduce or eliminate these problems.

This eyelid surgical procedure is done in an outpatient setting. After numbing the area, the doctor will cut along the eyelid to remove excess skin and either get rid of the fat or redistribute it.

The doctor may combine blepharoplasty with ptosis if your drooping of the upper eyelid is close to the pupil.

• • Brow lift

Some people have eyebrow ptosis and may require a brow lift. As we age, the skin begins to lose elasticity and the eyebrows begin to move down. In turn, this causes the distance between the eyelashes and eyebrows to shorten.

If the eyebrows lie lower than the normal position, you may end up looking tired, sad, or angry. The doctor can perform a brow lift to raise the eyebrows and restore your appearance.

What Can You Expect After the Procedure?

You will stay in the recovery room after the procedure for observation of any complication before the doctor releases you.

Your eyelids may feel sore and tight immediately after the procedure. You may also experience blurry vision and the eyes can get watery, dry, itchy, and sensitive to light. You can also expect eyelid swelling immediately after the surgery.

These side effects last for a couple of days, but the doctor will give you medication to help with the discomfort and pain.

The stitches may dissolve or the doctor will remove them three to five days after the surgery.

You may not see the results of the surgery yet, but the appearance of your eye will improve as your recover. It may take one to three months for the eyes to fully recover.

How Can You Care for Yourself At Home?

It is important to rest from all strenuous activities and ensure you get enough sleep. Sleep with your head elevated for the first couple of days to ease the discomfort. Avoid wearing makeup, using facial creams, or wearing contact lenses.

For the first three days, apply an ice pack every one to two hours to reduce the swelling.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Glendale Eye Medical Group for more information on cosmetic eyelid surgery in Glendale, CA.