Blepharoplasty

Alternative names

Eyelid lift or repair

Definition

Eyelid lift surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is done to repair sagging or drooping upper eyelids (ptosis).

Description

Sagging or drooping eyelids occur naturally with increasing age. However, some people are born with it or develop diseases (such as myasthenia gravis) that cause eyelid drooping. Most blepharoplasties are done to improve appearance, but some people have excessive eyelid drooping that actually interferes with vision. For these people blepharoplasty is required to improve eyesight.

Eyelid repair is usually optional (elective) cosmetic surgery. It is usually done while the patient is awake or sleepy (sedated) but under local anesthesia. The incisions are made in the natural creases or folds of the eyelids. Loose skin and extra fat tissue is removed. The eyelid muscles are tightened and the incision is stitched closed.

Eyelid repair surgery rarely requires hospitalization. The surgery is done in a surgeon's office or as outpatient surgery in a hospital or surgical center.

Indications

Eyelid surgery is used to correct drooping upper lids that make the patient look older or tired or that interferes with vision. Eyelid repair (blepharoplasty) is sometimes done alone or with other facial surgery such as a browlift or facelift. Eyelid surgery will not remove wrinkles around the eyes, lift sagging eyebrows, or eliminate dark circles under the eyes.

Medical conditions that make blepharoplasty more risky are:

• thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease
  
• dry eye or lack of sufficient tears
  
• high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders
  
• heart disease or disorders of the blood vessels
  
• diabetes
  
• retinal detachment
  
• glaucoma
  

Risks
The risks for any anesthesia are:

• reactions to medications
  
• problems breathing
  

The risks for any surgery are:

• bleeding
  
• infection
  

Additional risks of eyelid repair include:

• double or blurred vision