When Eyelid Surgery Is More Than A Matter Of Appearance

Close up image of two people showing just one of their brown eyes

We are at a unique point in history in which on the one hand, acceptance and diversity are the buzzwords, and on the other, the popularity of cosmetic procedures has increased almost 200% in the past two decades alone. These two opposing forces continue to assert themselves, with advances in one being closely mirrored by the other. In this post, we focus on one type of surgery that has as much to do with functionality as it does with appearance: blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, one of the four most popular surgeries in the U.S. over the past few years among men and women alike.

Eyelid Surgery For Health Reasons 

Many patients opt for eyelid surgery to eliminate resistant ‘bags’ or to give the eye a fresher look. Others, however, do so for health reasons. Normally, patients approach their doctor when eyelids cause problems with daily tasks such as reading or driving, which can result in eye problems or headaches. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, medical reasons that necessitate this type of surgery include battling eye discomfort, having poor central vision because of the position of the upper eyelid, having less than a minimum distance (2mm) between the edge of the eyelid and the centre of the pupil, having difficulty carrying out specific activities, etc.

What Does Eyelid Surgery Involve?

This surgery involves removing excess skin or fat from the eyelids. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia and can involve either the upper or lower eyelid. In the case of the upper eyelid, excess skin causing a ‘droopy’ look is removed and the natural skin fold of the eyelid completely ‘hides’ the surgery. Lower eyelid surgery is centered on removing ‘bags’ (and sometimes a small amount of skin) from under the eyes. Downtime is relatively short; normally, patients wear suture strips (similar to a band-aid) to support the lid, and one week later, the strips are completely removed. Most patients go home on the same day. There may be slight irritation or pinkness after surgery, but this goes away after a few days.

What Are The Results Of Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty has a high degree of success, with the vast majority of patients enjoying significantly improved vision, peripheral vision, and quality of life. It is amazing to think that this surgery can help people who are unable to carry out tasks many of us take for granted, including driving or reading text online or on paper. The average age for upper eyelid surgery is in the 40s for women and 50s for men, which indicates that many of those who opt for it are working and need to perform tasks such as reading on a daily basis.

A common reason for eyelid surgery is a tired appearance caused by hooded eyes. In the case of lower eyelids, patients may complain that neither serums nor creams are producing the results they wish for, leading them to seek a more permanent solution. Having eyelid surgery early can also be a way to avoid problems with vision, which can occur in extreme cases. If you are interested in corrective surgery, see a reputed doctor and discuss various options, to determine whether or not the timing is right for this type of procedure.

*collaborative post

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