Cosmetic eyelid surgery, which is also called blepharoplasty, involves surgically removing excess skin, fat or muscle from around the eyes to give a younger and fresher appearance. The procedure can be done on the upper and lower lids, at the same time or separately, depending on the clients preferences.
As you age, the skin around your eyes loses its elasticity, making them sag and can be ageing. You may develop loose folds of skin on your upper eyelids and deep creases under your lower lids, making your eyes look sunken. However, your muscles in this area may also slacken so that fat around your eye bulges forward and makes your lower eyelids appear baggy. Cosmetic eyelid surgery can remove the excess skin, fat, or both, from around your eyes.
It's important not to rush into the decision to have cosmetic surgery. Discuss your options with your doctor, who may be able to recommend a reputable surgeon or advise you about choosing which hospital to be treated in.
Before opting for cosmetic eyelid surgery, discuss with your surgeon what you are hoping to gain from the operation and the result you can realistically expect. For example, the surgery won't remove wrinkles at the corners of your eyes, nor will it lighten dark shadows under your eyes.
For surgery on the upper eyelids, cuts are made into the natural lines and creases in your eyelids, and in the wrinkles at the corners of your eyes. For surgery on the lower eyelids, cuts are made just below your eyelashes and then out into your 'laughter lines' at the corner of your eyes. This means your scars will run along the natural folds of your eyes, which helps to hide them.
If you have eye problems such as glaucoma, dry eyes or a detached retina, you're at higher risk of complications, meaning you will need to see a specialist eye doctor before your operation.
