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Blephroplasty, or the resculpturing of eyelids, can correct excessive wrinkling, drooping, or puffiness of the eyes seen in younger patients, but more commonly through genetics and natural aging. This occurs due to redundant skin, stretched muscles, and excessive fat of the upper and lower eyelids. Redundant upper eyelids can even obstruct vision. In lower eyelids, excessive skin and bulging fatty tissue may add to puffiness and swelling which gives the baggy appearance of a tired look.
Surgical correction of upper eyelid skin and fat is done traditionally or with a laser. Excessive skin and fat are removed and sculptured, providing a more crisp, youthful eyelid crease. The fine scar present after healing is hidden in the natural eyelid crease when the eye is open and only minimally visible when the eye is closed.
Dramatic advancements in lower lid tucks have been through a transconjunctival blephroplasty. Traditional external incisions underneath the lashes were used with a conspicuous scar. The inside of the lid approach disturbs fewer natural structures and allows the surgeon to remove excessive fatty tissue of the lower lid, thereby avoiding the rounded or "operated" look sometimes seen in poor results. Coupled with light laser resurfacing to the lower lids, the most dramatic results have been achievable with this type of procedure.
The surgery takes one to one-and-a-half hours and the eyes are not bandaged afterwards. Decreased bruising has been the results of these newer techniques and without laser surgery, the patient may return to normal activities after a few days. If bruises occur, seven to ten days are necessary before a cosmetic return to social circles. Makeup dramatically reduces this downtime.
