Cosmetic surgeries often provide health and medical benefits in addition to aesthetic ones.
When it comes to cosmetic eye surgery, or blepharoplasty, the goal is to produce a youthful look. This can be accomplished through a simple surgery performed by an ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon.
What is blepharoplasty?
Over time, skin becomes less firm and tends to sag. This sagging is especially noticeable in certain areas, including the skin around the eyes. Along with sagging skin and eyelids, fat pockets may accumulate around the eyes and in the eyelids, causing bulges. Lastly, the muscles around the eyes weaken with age, resulting in a droopy brow and eyelid.
Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to return to a youthful look is by correcting this “droopy eyelid” problem with an upper eyelid or lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or both. After assessing the extent of a patient’s eyelid drooping or bulging, an ophthalmologist can make a plan of action for surgery. This includes marking incision sites that follow the natural creases of the eye.
During the surgery, the ophthalmologist completes a procedure, similar to a facelift, on the eyelids. After making small incisions in strategic areas and removing excess skin and muscle flaps, the ophthalmologist re-attaches the skin to create a seamless awake and youthful look for the eyes.
Benefits of eye surgery
Blepharoplasty is used to treat a variety of eye conditions that may cause frustration or embarrassment:
- Sagging skin or folds that don’t fit into the upper eyelid’s natural contour
- Loose skin that hangs down and can impair one’s field of vision
- Tired-looking bags of skin located under the eye
- Drooped lower eyelids that expose the white that lies underneath the iris
- Slight wrinkles or excess skin of the lower lid
- Fat deposits that create an appearance of puffy eyelids
Cosmetic blepharoplasty can correct these issues. Without excess skin, wrinkles or fat, eyes look healthy and youthful.
Recovery and appearance
The process of cosmetic blepharoplasty takes between 1-3 hours. Following the surgery, lubricating ointments, cold compresses and sterile gauze may be applied. In addition, patients receive guidelines on how to care for their eyes to encourage a smooth healing process.
Sun protection is also vital to complete healing, so patients must consistently wear provided sunglasses following the procedure. After the initial swelling, the healing process may take several weeks. Patients should ask when it is safe to resume normal exercise and other activities.
Luckily, incisions made during blepharoplasty are usually barely visible and fade over time. Once healing is complete, patients are able to resume life as before but with a clear field of vision and a younger appearance.
Whether you’re looking for a reliable ophthalmologist for cosmetic procedures including Botox, brow lifts and dermal filler injections, or you need specialist help for eye conditions related to glaucoma and diabetes, choose Ophthalmic Surgeons & Physicians for patient-focused comprehensive eye care. Call 480-839-0206 to make an appointment.
