Procedures
Eyes | Eyelid correction
Eyelid correction
Eyelid correction (blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure involving the improvement of the eyelid appearance. Some contemporary attitudes have contributed to a better understanding of problems in this area. Changes on the eyelids can not be observed apart from the changes on the surrounding facial structures. This explains frequent combinations of this intervention with other procedures on the face, with the goal of obtaining optimal results. The appearance of the eyelids is improved by the treatment of excess skin, fatty pads or by the tightening of flabby structures.
BEFORE THE SURGERY:
It is sometimes necessary to check the patient’s general health condition and carry out laboratory analyses, so as to exclude possible diseases provoking the changes on the eyelids (thyroid gland, kidneys). In the case of the upper eyelids, it should be wise to examine if their appearance is possibly affected by the soft forehead structures and eyebrows. Namely, folds of excessive skin are often far less conspicuous when the forehead is slightly lifted. A common problem occurring on the lower eyelids is manifested as mild laxity of the skin with visible lines and fatty pads, as well as the weakness of supportive parts of the eyelids. Another possible problem is lack of subcutaneous fat on the join between the lid and malar region, which can be even more pronounced if the fat of the malar region has dropped towards the cheek or partly disappeared due to the aging process. All these circumstances suggest frequent necessity of combining this procedure with forehead and facial skin tightening, or with facial LIPOPLASTY.
DURING THE SURGERY:
If exclusively limited to the eyelid treatment, the surgery is performed in local anesthesia and lasts for approximately two hours. If combined with other interventions, it often requires total anesthesia. A crescent-shaped incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelids. Excessive skin and part of muscles are marked and removed. The fatty pads are then carefully approached and the estimated excess eliminated. The incision is finally closed with fine sutures. In the treatment of the lower eyelids, the incision is normally made closely below the eyelashes. The skin is detached either with muscles or without them. Possible fat excess is eliminated most economically, or it can be redistributed and pushed downwards, in order to cover the skin depression above the bone edge. At the surgeon’s discretion, the eyelid can be slightly lifted and fixed by permanent sutures. Minimal skin excess is then removed and the incision closed by fine sutures. In younger patients with elastic skin, the removal of excessive skin or fat redistribution on the lower eyelids can be performed through the incision made on the inner side of the eyelids; performed in this way, the procedure does not leave visible scars. Lack of fat on the join between the eyelid and malar region is treated by LIPOSCULPTURE. Fat is taken from other regions of the body and, after being processed, inserted in the parts where it is missing.
AFTER THE SURGERY:
If performed merely on the eyelids, the intervention does not require hospitalization. The eyelids are covered with cold dressings, which are occasionally replaced throughout the first few days. Moderate swelling and bruises are normally expected. Sutures are removed on the third day. Some patients may experience over-sensitivity to light or urge to tears. Swelling and bruises subside after seven days. Minor skin discoloration persisting after this period can be camouflaged by make-up. Depending on the size of intervention, post-operative course and the patient’s profession, return to work can be expected within one or two weeks. It is necessary to avoid direct exposure to the sun for several weeks, whereas oversensitive patients are advised to use sun blockers. More strenuous physical activities likely to provoke the increase of blood pressure are not recommended in the course of one month. The scars are gradually reduced to a hardly visible whitish line. Definite results can be assessed after a few months.
