Eyelid Surgery

What is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids or both.

Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery can rejuvenate the area surrounding your eyes.

Why and For Whom Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery Is Performed?

Eyelid wrinkles and prolapses and the presence of lower eyelid pouches cause an exhausted and depressed look. Aging symptoms more frequently emerge in upper eyelids. Furthermore, excessive dermal volume on the eyelid deteriorates the person’s look. While mild form wrinkles may be eliminated by filling materials, when dermal prolapse/sags and deep wrinkles are present, surgical interventions may be inevitable. Aesthetic eyelid operations are recommended for people between 35-70 years old by surgeons. Those operations are performed to promote a much more juvenile image for patients, but the individuals suffering from eyelid problems due to genetic factors are also candidates for the surgery.

How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

If the planned operation is on the upper eyelid, the process can be performed under local anaesthesia. In such a case, the operation time is 40-60 minutes. Skin and muscle volume that shall be taken out from the eyelid of the patient is determined by the surgeon pre-operatively. Wrinkled skin, which was previously determined for elimination, is covered up in the margin lines of eyelids. The excess skin and muscle tissue are also removed during the operation as planned priorly. Eventually, desired tension over the eyelid is promoted.

In lower eyelid aesthetics operations, the incision line is right under eyelashes, and lower eyelid skin is elevated with the muscle. Even rarely, fat cushions may require reduction. As a result of the spreading of the fat tissue over the eye socket margin, the hollow look is corrected. In cases where the spread of the fat is inadequate, fat injection interventions may be included in the surgical procedures.

What Are the Concerns That Require Attention Before and After the Eyelid Surgery?

• Before the Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery
  Ten days before the eyelid aesthetic procedure, the patient must discontinue blood-thinning medications such as aspirin. During this period, supplementary intakes such as green tea, which has a blood-thinning effect, and vitamin E must also be avoided. Furthermore, to speed up the recovery process, smoking must be withdrawn. The presence of conditions/comorbidities that can have deteriorative impacts on eyelid aesthetic procedure must be consulted to the surgeon before the surgery. Especially, diseases like ophthalmologic blood pressure, hypertension, thyroid diseases, and xerophthalmia are the risk increasing factors for the procedure.
• After the Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery
  Following surgery, the patient can be discharged a few hours after the wound dressing renewed. After that, swelling may be seen on the eyelid and its surrounding area for 1-2 days. Ice bags are effective for the swelling and the bruises. In addition, pain may be experienced for a few days, so the medication given by the surgeon should be used for pain relief. To prevent xerophthalmia, the patient must use eye drops. People go underwent eyelid surgery must rest at home for a week on average. After that, patients may return back to their daily life. Additionally, for the post-operative one week, the patient has to lay down on his/her back. Usually, sutures are removed after 5-7 days. After two weeks following the surgery, swelling and bruises shall be completely recovered. Several weeks, vulnerability to solar light may be expected. Thus, patients are recommended to use sunglasses on sunny days.

Procedure Summary Table

Eyelid Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon Professor Yazar is available in his private practice based in Nisantasi, Istanbul for appointments to provide detailed and tailored information on the procedure.