Why get upper eyelid surgery?

[mistie]

Why should a person get upper eyelid surgery? What does it fix?

[mybodyparts]

To remove skin and tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids in order to get rid of hooded eyelids and/or eyebags.

The procedure:

This procedure should be carried out by a surgeon with relevant skills and experience in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission. An ophthalmologist should also assess your suitability for surgery.

Upper eyelid surgery is often carried out separately from lower eyelid surgery and if this is the case will be carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation. A general anaesthetic may be used by some surgeons, particularly if both upper eyelids and lower eyelids are being corrected.

In upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon makes an incision along the eyelid crease in the natural skin fold of the eyelid and removes unwanted skin, fat and muscle. He or she then closes up the incision, hiding the scar inside the natural fold of the upper eyelid.

In lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon moves or removes fat from the eyebags either through an external incision made just below the lower lashes or through an incision made on the inside of the eyelid. A small amount of skin may also be removed, but the orbicularis muscle (the muscle that closes the eyelid) should be preserved.

Although eyelid surgery is a fairly comfortable procedure, you will be required to take 5-10 days off work. There will some expected bruising which subsides quickly. The sutures may be dissolvable or a surgical glue may be used. If the sutures do need to be removed, this will be done between 4 and 7 days.

The results:

Many people find that eyelid surgery can make a real difference to their appearance, especially if they had large bags underneath their eyes.

The results of lower eyelid surgery through an external cut are likely to be more effective than surgery through a cut made on the inside of the eyelid as the surgeon can tighten the skin and reduce some wrinkling as well.

Some techniques of lower eyelid surgery can leave the eyes looking sunken or unnatural because too much fat is removed. Ask your surgeon whether he or she removes the fat or avoids the need for fat removal by moving the fat behind the muscle underneath the eyelid.

The risks:

General risks of surgery - see Considering cosmetic surgery?

The risks of upper and lower eyelid surgery include temporarily blurred vision, infection, scarring, inability to close eyes, lower eyelid sagging, dry eyes, and bleeding behind the eye, which can lead to blindness. Your eyes may end up looking asymmetrical.

If you have glaucoma or dry eyes which don't produce enough tears, there is a higher risk of problems following the treatment and eyelid surgery may not be suitable for you. This is why an ophthalmologist (an eye specialist) needs to assess your suitability before surgery.

[dani1]

Oh, wow. Thanks for the information mybodyparts. I was scared when you said that it can lead to blindness. How common is that? What are the odds that a person will go blind from upper eyelid surgery?

[RoxyMoron]

I have considered eyelid surgery...while I like the way it hoods over a little bit (the center part of my eyelid looks asian style when I use certain eyeshadows), I don't think the outer corners slant enough. I guess you could say I want the whole Oriental experience! I am hispanic/white though, I would probably use a program first to see if it would look odd.

[berlinlife06]

I´ve seen two very different results: one is just amazing. But the other one looks like a horror story! Really! I think one should research very much before getting it done.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by mistie

Why should a person get upper eyelid surgery? What does it fix?

The best reason for upper eyelid surgery is to improve vision. As gravity takes its toll the weight of the upper lid and its migration downward can hamper reading, driving, and other activities that required clear vision.

[ammulu]

I am scared with any surgery related to eyes. I am not sure how people go ahead with such surgeries. Anything related to eyes, I would be really cautious and have a thorough reseach about the procedure and then try to gain some dareness and go for it.

[chris1203]

Originally Posted by SageMother

The best reason for upper eyelid surgery is to improve vision. As gravity takes its toll the weight of the upper lid and its migration downward can hamper reading, driving, and other activities that required clear vision.

Wow, SageMother, I never thought of that. I thought that this type of surgery was all for vanity reasons (which, by the way, I DO need this for vanity reasons.)

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by dani1

Oh, wow. Thanks for the information mybodyparts. I was scared when you said that it can lead to blindness. How common is that? What are the odds that a person will go blind from upper eyelid surgery?

Going blind isn't common, but as with any eye surgery, there's always the risk.