Eyelid surgery might involve removing excess skin, muscle, and occasionally fat to amend the appearance of the eyelids. The surgery can be conducted on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. This procedure is not only sought after for aesthetic reasons but is also performed to address functional problems that can impair vision.
Patients opt for this surgery for numerous reasons. From an aesthetic viewpoint, the surgery can significantly alter the appearance of the face, giving the eyes a more open and rested look. From a functional perspective, excess skin on the upper eyelids can sag and hinder vision, making daily activities like driving and reading increasingly difficult. In such cases, eyelid surgery offers a practical solution to improve the field of vision.
Selecting to undergo eyelid surgery is a significant decision and necessitates a thorough understanding of the procedure, including what it entails, the recovery process, and realistic outcomes. It is also vital to be aware of any potential risks and to have clear communication with Consultant Plastic Surgeon Anca Breahna about expectations and results.
You might contemplate eyelid surgery for a variety of reasons, spanning from aesthetic alterations to addressing medical issues:
The three primary types of eyelid surgery are upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, and double eyelid surgery.
Choosing the right type of eyelid surgery requires careful consideration and discussions with Anca. During the consultation, Anca will examine your eyelids, discuss your aesthetic and functional goals, and recommend the most appropriate procedure. It is essential to have realistic expectations and to understand the potential outcomes of the chosen surgery.
The specific techniques and steps involved vary depending on the type of eyelid surgery being performed—upper, lower, or both. However, the goal remains the same.
Eyelid surgery typically begins with the administration of anaesthesia to ensure comfort throughout the procedure. The type of anaesthesia used can vary from local, which numbs only the area around the eyes, to general, which renders you unconscious for the duration of the surgery.
For upper eyelid surgery, an incision is made along the fold of the eyelid, allowing Anca to remove or reposition fat deposits, tighten muscles, and remove excess skin. The incision lines are carefully planned to ensure they are well-concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region.
In lower eyelid surgery, the incision is usually made just below the lash line or inside the lower eyelid. This approach allows Anca to remove excess skin, eliminate or redistribute fat, and improve the contour of the eyelid, addressing bags under the eyes and correcting droopiness.
Safety is of paramount importance in any surgical procedure. The choice between local and general anaesthesia will be based on the complexity of the surgery and your overall health. The surgical team closely monitors your vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure the utmost safety.
The duration of eyelid surgery can vary but lasts from one to three hours, depending on whether both upper and lower eyelids are being addressed. Eyelid surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day, under the care of a responsible adult.
Although eyelid surgery is generally safe, some common risks include infection, bleeding, scarring, and reaction to anaesthesia. Swelling and bruising are typical after the surgery, but in rare cases, excessive swelling can lead to complications.
One of the specific risks associated with eyelid surgery is temporary blurred or impaired vision. Most patients experience this only briefly, but it’s crucial to monitor the situation and report any prolonged or severe symptoms to your surgeon immediately.
Dry eyes are another common side effect that can result from eyelid surgery. In most instances, this condition is temporary and can be managed with lubricating eye drops. However, if the problem persists, further treatment may be necessary.
Combining eyelid surgery with other facial procedures is a common practice that can enhance the overall rejuvenation effects and lead to more harmonious results. When eyelid surgery is performed in conjunction with other treatments, patients can achieve a more comprehensive improvement in their appearance.
Common Complementary Procedures
Considerations and Recommendations
If you are considering combining eyelid surgery with other facial procedures, you should discuss your options with Anca. This collaborative approach will help tailor the surgical plan to meet your aesthetic goals while ensuring safety and the highest quality of care.
The total cost typically includes your surgeon’s fee, anaesthesia fee, facility fee, and any additional costs such as pre-operative tests and post-operative care supplies. It’s important to obtain a detailed quote during your consultation to understand what is included in the cost and to plan accordingly.
The cost of eyelid surgery can also differ depending on whether you’re having upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. Additionally, if eyelid surgery is being combined with other facial procedures, the overall cost will be higher, but package deals may also offer value.
Insurance Coverage and Exceptions: In cases where eyelid surgery is performed for cosmetic reasons, it is unlikely that the procedure will be covered by health insurance. However, if the surgery is deemed medically necessary — for example, if drooping eyelids are significantly impairing your vision — some or all of the cost may be covered by your insurance policy.
Documentation from your surgeon, including notes on how the eyelid issue affects your vision and quality of life, can support your claim for insurance coverage. Visual field tests and photographs may also be required to demonstrate the necessity of the procedure.
While eyelid surgery offers long-lasting and significant improvements for those looking to alter the appearance of their eyelids or address functional issues, some people may seek non-surgical alternatives for various reasons. These alternatives can offer less invasive options for rejuvenating the eye area without the downtime associated with surgery. Here, we explore several popular non-surgical treatments that can help refresh and enhance the eye area:
Non-surgical treatments typically involve less downtime and lower risk than surgical options. However, their results are usually temporary and may require regular maintenance sessions. It’s also important to note that while these treatments can offer significant improvements, they may not be able to achieve the same level of correction as surgical eyelid procedures, particularly for patients with substantial excess skin or fat around the eyes.
Typically, eyelid surgery can take between one to three hours, depending on whether you’re having surgery on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The duration may also vary if eyelid surgery is combined with other facial procedures.
While eyelid surgery itself does not directly correct vision problems like near-sightedness or farsightedness, it can improve peripheral vision significantly for patients whose sagging upper eyelids obstruct their field of view. This procedure is primarily aimed at removing the excess skin that causes the visual impairment.
Eyelid surgery incisions are strategically placed in the natural creases of the eyelids or inside the lower eyelid, making scars well-concealed once they have healed properly. Over time, these scars typically become barely noticeable.
There is no “ideal” age for eyelid surgery. Candidates for this procedure range from their 30s to older ages. The timing often depends on your specific concerns, skin condition, and whether the eyelid issues are affecting the quality of life or vision.
The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting. While the procedure can’t halt the aging process, improvements, particularly in removing excess skin and fat, can be significant and enduring. Many patients find that the results last for many years, and for some, the results are effectively permanent.