Blepharoplasty, or better known as eyelid surgery, is an oculoplastic surgical technique that involves correcting excess fat, skin, and muscles of the upper and lower eyelids. Features that give an appearance of aging and tiredness and can even affect vision.
Blepharoplasty surgery does not correct wrinkles or other symptoms caused by the passing of the years, however, although it can sometimes be carried out independently, it can also complement other facial aesthetic techniques, for example, to correct sagging or facial rejuvenation as well as stain removal.
Who is an ideal candidate for a blepharoplasty?
- Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is aimed at those patients who seek to improve, not drastically change, their facial appearance and appearance, whether for cosmetic or other reasons.
- Patients who undergo this intervention are usually 40 years of age or older. There may be exceptions in those younger patients who are more predisposed to having bags due to family genetics.
- If the patient suffers from thyroid, lack of tears, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, glaucoma or diabetes, the viability of performing a blepharoplasty should be consulted with his eye plastic ophthalmologist, since such medical conditions could involve some complication.
Types of blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty is a surgery that is performed through micro-incisions on the natural crease of the upper eyelids to remove skin and excess fat caused by aging. The objective of this intervention is to return to the gaze a more rested and rejuvenated aspect.
Lower blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty is a surgery that serves to remove an excess part of the skin of the lower eyelid.
It is the operation that removes eye bags and in some cases can even improve dark circles grooves by repositioning the fat, in order to achieve a more youthful and clear look.
There are different techniques to perform this intervention and the specialist ophthalmologist must select the most appropriate one depending on the needs of the patient.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty
The main difference from subsidiary blepharoplasty is where the incision is made. For a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, the surgeon makes the incision between the eyelids and the eyeball.
This technique is more common in those patients in whom they do not have an excess of laxity in the skin or in the muscle of the eyelid, and whose pockets are not very pronounced. Indicated for younger patients.
One of the advantages of this procedure is that the skin is not touched during surgery, and therefore does not require suturing, which implies the absence of a skin scar and faster recovery. Conjunctival access is closed without suture
It is becoming more and more common in operations for inferior blepharoplasty. This operation will be performed under local anesthesia and hospital admission is not necessary.
Subsidiary blepharoplasty
The incision for subsidiary blepharoplasty is made below the lash line. The objective of this intervention is to reduce the bags of the lower eyelids by removing part of the accumulated fat that is inside. This approach is also ideal in those cases that require skin removal.
It is usually performed under local anesthesia plus sedation and does not require hospital admission.
Blepharoplasty diagnosis
In the first consultation, clinical parameters necessary for a correct indication are evaluated.
A doctor-patient relationship is established in which both parties establish realities about pathology and expectations. The doctor will explain in detail to the patient what the indicated procedures consist of.
- The position of the eyebrow will be evaluated
- Eyelid parameters will be measured to rule out associated palpebral ptosis.
- Lower palpebral position, as well as associated laxity, will be evaluated
- Corneal sensitivity test
- Corneal surface evaluation- biomicroscopy: to rule out the existence of ocular pathology (dry eye) that requires special considerations in surgical planning.
- Fundus study.