COSMETIC EYE SURGERY

Blepharoplasty is surgery that lifts and tightens the skin around the eye. With ageing, the skin loses its natural elasticity, causing the eyebrows to droop and redundant skin to appear on the upper and lower eyelids. Muscles around the eye may also thicken (hypertrophic), particularly in smokers.

In addition, many people lose fat around the eye, resulting in a sunken appearance. The connective tissue layers in the eyelids may thin out, causing fat to move downwards and form ‘bags’ under the eyes. Loss of elasticity and subcutaneous fat often leads to an increase in wrinkle formation and permanent lines.

Some people also choose blepharoplasty because they are unhappy with the natural appearance or shape of the skin around their eyes.

Depending on your concern, there are three variations of blepharoplasty: upper eyelid, lower eyelid and Asian. As the anatomy of the eye is complex and the tissue surrounding the eye is delicate, only a surgeon with training in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery should perform blepharoplasty. Oculoplastic surgeons’ advanced training is specific to the eye, making them true eyelid experts.

Ageing produces concerns regarding the eyelid region.

Cosmetic reasons include:

• Overhanging upper lid skin

• Puffy-looking eyelids

• The appearance of ‘bags’ in the lower lids

• Hollowing associated with the ‘tear trough’

• Lack of crease, or very minimal crease in the upper eyelid

Vision reasons include:

• Ptosis – the upper eyelid droops too far over the eye, limiting vision.

• Ectropion – outward-facing eyelids leave the inner eyelid surface exposed and easily irritated.