Blepharoplasty is the surgical correction of loose skin and bulging fat pads in the upper or lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery restores the youthful, refreshed appearance of the eye area.
As we get older, the natural ageing process results in loss of elasticity and sagging tissue. The brow appears heavier, the skin on the upper eyelids folds and wrinkles, hooding the eye in some cases. Small fat pads can bulge in the inner corners near the nose.
To compensate for the dropping of the upper eyelid people often contract the muscles of the forehead to open up the eyes resulting in horizontal lines across the brow.
Dr Zurek will assess the problem which may be due the brow sagging as opposed to the skin excess in the upper eyelid. If this is the case you may need to consider a brow lift, either surgical or “chemical” using an injection to relax muscles that naturally depress the brow.
Surgical correction consists of removal of excess skin on the upper eyelid and occasionally the underlying muscle. If there is bulging fat in the inner corner of the eyelid it can also be reduced. It is critical to preserve the rest of the underlying fat here otherwise removal will result in a sunken, aged, appearance.
The most common concern is bulging fat pads, often referred to as bags, in older people there is often excess skin hanging in the form of festoons (curtain like). There may be looseness of the lower lid present.
Transconjuctival Blepharoplasty – is the safest procedure available to reduce bulging fat pads it is performed by surgery inside the lower eyelid therefore, there is no risk of damage to the important muscle of the eyelid and no visible scar.
BEFORE (woman in her 50’s) and 6 months AFTER conservative lower eyelid surgery (transconjunctival) and Fat Grafting to orbit and cheek area by Dr Zurek
Orbicularis Hitch – a minimally invasive procedure to lift up the muscle of the lower eyelid and remove excess skin.
Pinch Blepharoplasty – involves removal of excess skin only, without interfering with the underlying muscle of the lower eyelid. This procedure results in an imperseptible scar about 1mm below the lower eyelashes.
Skin/Muscle flap – involves removal of excess skin and muscle, plus the underlying fat can be trimmed. This procedure carries a high risk of complications including deformity of the lower eyelid, which may be due to unpredictable scar formation. In recent years Dr Zurek performs this procedure in very selected patients as other alternatives are now available.
Augmentation Blepharoplasty – Involves replenishing of volume in the groove below the eye and restoring youthful contours between the lower eyelid and cheek.
All eyelid procedures are performed under local anaesthetic and oral sedation and take approx. 2 hours.
Dr Zurek will remove the necessary excess skin, fat and muscle.
The wound is closed with fine nylon sutures, which will be removed 3-5 days after surgery.
Icepacks are recommended to apply at home, but never directly to the skin.
You will be given an antibiotic ointment to apply to the wound for the first few days.
Sunglasses are the best way of hiding the healing wound.
You may return to work after the stitches are removed. Residual bruising, if any, is easily concealed with a light makeup.