Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid muscles are inserted into the skin, and lose their tone as a normal
function of ageing. In the upper eyelid this produces a fold of skin which
may result in hooding of the eyelid. Such hooding may obscure the eyelash
in severe cases, and is treated by the excision of excess tissue within
a skin crease of the upper eyelid.
In the lower eyelid, loss of muscle tone permits fat underneath the eyeball
to bulge forwards to produce an eye bag. Treatment in this case involves
the excision of excess skin and associated fatty tissue, via incisions
located in a skin crease.
This procedure is known as a blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty
Carried out as a day case general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia / sedation
Planned excision of tissue is marked on the skin
one long suture under the skin for each incision
Suture ends are taped to the skin with Steristrip adhesive tape
Polyfax ointment is applied four times a day for 7 days following surgery
Sutures are removed at around 7 days
Complications
Respiratory Depression (intravenous sedation)
Hallucinations (intravenous sedation)
Bleeding at time of surgery
Bleeding following surgery – black eyes are not uncommon
Severe bleeding following surgery may require suture removal
Inadequate removal of tissue ( incomplete elimination of hooding / eye bag)
Excessive removal of tissue (distortion of eyelid / inability to close eyelid)
Dry Eye / Watering Eye
Lid Asymmetry
Infection (rare)
Loss of skin as a function of haemorrhage or infection
Revision Surgery may be required to treat complications
It is to be noted that blepharoplasty will not remove fine wrinkles
in the skin. These are removed by skin resurfacing techniques.
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