Sagging eyelids may make you appear exhausted and older than your actual age. In rare cases, heavy eyelids may even obstruct your vision. Cosmetic surgery, such as an eye lift or blepharoplasty, may be an option if you want to your droopy eyes.

Non-surgical treatments for sagging skin on the eyelids are ineffective. An upper eye lift, or upper blepharoplasty, which lowers the amount of skin on the top eyelid, is the best and most effective treatment for this issue.

Blepharoplasty is divided into two types:

• Upper eyelid blepharoplasty: In this procedure, eyelid surgeons remove extra skin, fat, or muscle from the upper lid.
• Lower eyelid blepharoplasty: In this procedure, they tighten the under-eye skin by removing extra bags and sometimes lifting some skin at the lash line.

Candidacy for Blepharoplasty

In general, candidates should be at least 35 years old, while genetic factors may suggest treatment for younger individuals.

Candidates may not be eligible for the treatment if they have dry eyes, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or Graves' disease. The anatomy of a patient, including bone and supporting structure, can have an impact on their candidacy.

Blepharoplasty procedure

Blepharoplasty is usually done as an outpatient procedure with sedation and local anesthetic. The procedure might take anywhere from 45 to 75 minutes, based on whether you are having the surgery on both the eyelids.

The incision lines for the upper eyelids are usually done along the natural crease lines of your eyelids. Fat deposits and extra skin are removed once the incisions have been done. In order to deepen the lid crease, a strip of the orbicularis oculi muscle that surrounds the eyelids may be removed.

An incision may be made immediately below the lower lash line or on the inside of the lower eyelid if you have lower eyelid surgery. Excess skin in the lower eyelid is removed, or fat is redistributed or removed, depending on the procedure.

Your incisions are closed with detachable sutures, skin adhesives, or surgical tape after the treatment.

Blepharoplasty Recoveries

Your surgeon will give specific directions to follow after your blepharoplasty, including the medications to apply or take orally, as well as a date and time to see them for a follow-up checkup.

Your healthcare professional will also inform you of any symptoms or indicators to look out for that indicate you should schedule an appointment sooner.

Swelling, bruising, inflammation, or dry eyes are possible side effects, but they are usually minor. Within two weeks, the majority of the swelling will have subsided. After surgery, you can't wear contact lenses or eye makeup for two weeks.

For a couple of weeks, you should wear dark sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind. You should be able to return to work in a few days to a week, but you must refrain from exercising or engaging in vigorous activities for at least two weeks.

Wrapping Up

The scars following a blepharoplasty are generally well-hidden and dissolve over time. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your eyelid surgeon about your specific symptoms, as well as any potential risks.