Eyelid Surgery
UPMC Stofman Plastic Surgery Group provides Eyelid Surgery to patients from Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.
Also known as Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Surgery improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and gives a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert.
Why Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid Surgery can rejuvenate the effects of aging on the upper and lower eyelids. Sun exposure, gravity, and even genetics can contribute to excess wrinkling and sagging skin of the upper and lower eyelids. Puffy bags under the eyes are common findings as are droopy upper eyelids, a condition called eyelid ptosis. These can convey a tired appearance and can even interfere with full vision. Specifically, Eyelid Surgery can treat:
- Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
- Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
Is Eyelid Surgery Right For Me?
Eyelid Surgery is usually performed on adult men and women who have healthy facial tissue and muscles and have realistic goals for improvement of the upper and/or lower eyelids and surrounding area.
Good candidates for Eye Surgery are:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing.
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for blepharoplasty
- Individuals without serious eye conditions
If you are considering Eyelid Surgery, it is important to tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Eye disease such as glaucoma, dry eye or a detached retina
- Thyroid disorders such as Graves’ disease and under or overactive thyroid
- Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders or diabetes
- Eyelid Surgery Procedure
For Eyelid Surgery, there are different options for anesthesia: local, as an office prodcedure, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. During your initial consultation, our skilled surgeons will discuss which medications will work well for your particular procedure.
Incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed for scars to be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region. Droopy conditions of the upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease of the upper eyelid allowing repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles and tissue, and/or removal of excess skin.
Conditions of the lower eyelid may be corrected with an incision just below the lower lash line. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelids is removed.
A transconjunctival incision, one hidden inside the lower eyelid, is an alternate technique to correct lower eyelid conditions and redistribute or remove excess fat.
Eyelid incisions typically are closed with:
- Removable or absorbable sutures
- Skin adhesives
- Surgical tape
Eyelid surgery may not be an option for dark circle removal under the eyes and in some cases may exacerbate the condition.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery and Results
After your procedure is completed, lubricating ointment and cold compresses may be applied, and in some cases your eyes may be loosely covered with gauze.
You will be given specific instructions that may include:
- How to care for your eyes
- Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection
- Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your overall health
Follow-up instructions
Initial healing may include some swelling, bruising, irritation or dry eyes and discomfort that can be controlled with medication, cold compresses and ointment. Irritation at the incision sites also is possible.
A special note: You must practice diligent sun protection and use darkly tinted sunglasses until the healing process is fully complete.
The results of eyelid surgery will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal a smooth, better-defined eyelid and surrounding region, and an alert and rejuvenated appearance.
Your final results will appear within several weeks, but it may take months for incision lines to fully refine.
While eyelid surgery can be expected to correct certain conditions permanently, you will continue to age naturally. Life-long sun protection will help to maintain your results.
Be sure to ask questions: It’s very important to address any concerns you have with our experienced staff. All successful surgeries begin with open and honest communication between doctor and patient. Are you considering plastic surgery? Contact us to schedule a consultation and let us educate you about your options and the procedures available.
