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July 27, 2011

My eyelids are drooping more and more and it has even begun to affect my eyesight. I am nervous about surgery as I don’t want to damage my eyes in any way. Can you explain the options I have?

Drooping eyelids are a common occurrence with advancing age. If the problem is not too profound and if performed correctly, Botox can be used to raise the skin of the upper eyelid and slightly elevate the upper brow. If the sag in your eyelids is affecting your vision, you will definitely need more extensive treatment.

To properly access your condition, a consultation would be necessary but it sounds like a blepharoplasty would correct the droop in your eyelid, which is commonly known as hooding, and also improve your eyesight. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure where excess skin is removed from either the upper or lower eyelid or both. It is actually a very common surgery and can be performed without affecting your eyesight because the surgeon does not go near the eye itself.

A tiny incision is made in the crease of the upper eyelid or in the wrinkle beneath the lashes of the lower eyelid. After the excess skin is removed, fine sutures are used to close the incision. Because the location of the incision is in your natural folds, any scars are practically invisible. The skin of the lids is very thin and this aids in healing with minimal scarring as well. A blepharoplasty is usually conducted using local anaesthetic with sedation.

A common concern with this procedure is if the candidate will be able to close their eyes properly after surgery. A successful blepharoplasty depends on the art of removing the correct amount of skin. This is why it is essential to undergo surgery with only a licenced, experienced surgeon. Incomplete eye closure due to swelling can be expected during the first week. Dry eyes are the most common complaint with a blepharoplasty but this can be minimized with the use of eye drops or eye patches. On rare occasions a temporary condition called chemosis occurs where the white part of the eye swells and has the appearance of pink eye. Even this condition does not affect your eyesight but only results in your eyes feeling dry. Chemosis resolves itself in 2 - 4 weeks but can also be treated with steroid eye drops.

I suggest that my clients take one week to 10 days off work for recovery. Sutures are removed in 5 days. Although there may still be bruising after this time, it can easily be hidden with the use of make-up or glasses. If fat, as well as skin needed to be removed from the lid, the recovery period may take up to two weeks.

Some post – op instructions I advise are sleeping with your head elevated to minimize swelling, using ice compresses for the first 2-3 days, avoiding excess computer work or reading as this will cause added dryness to occur, wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes when outdoors, and avoiding all lifting or bending as this results in increased blood flow to the eyes.

There is no need to fear undergoing a blepharoplasty, it's a simple procedure that hundreds undergo each and every year. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact our Toronto Facial Cosmetic Surgery clinic!