An eyelid lift (eye surgery), technically known as blepharoplasty, focuses on the human eyes. Eyes occupy a very prominent part of a person’s facial features. However, it is the skin surrounding the eyes, rather than the eyes themselves, that convey emotions. The muscle, fat, tissue, hair, and lashes all contribute to a very wide array of expressions. Sun exposure, heredity, and age are all factors that contribute to deep fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness around the eyes.

The process of aging will likely cause unwanted changes to a person’s expressions, causing them to look permanently fatigued or even older than they really are. These changes in appearance will likely cause emotional distress or sometimes even an impairment in vision. A blepharoplasty is created to restore a much more youthful appearance to a person’s eyes. This cosmetic eyelid surgery may involve either the lower or upper eyelids or sometimes both.

With a traditional eyelid lift an incision would be created in the crease of the upper eyelid toward the temples. Once this is healed, it is not even noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower eyelid, the incision would be created along the lash line also toward the temples which will be hidden by the lashes after healing.

For the transconjunctival approach, which is a new approach for eyelid lift surgery, the plastic surgeon will create an incision inside the lower eyelid. Fat can then be removed through the incision, however excess skin cannot be eliminated. Laser resurfacing of a person’s eyelids is a non-surgical alternative to the surgery that may delay the need for any cosmetic eyelid surgery. It will result in significant tightening of the skin around a person’s eyes, but it will not effect the fat around the eyes and may sometimes even accentuate it

Eyelid lift surgery will begin with administration of a local anesthetic around the eyes. An intravenous line will be started so that a sedation may also be given. During the surgery itself you will be awake but relaxed and comfortable. General anesthesia will rarely be used. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. It is very important that you arrange for proper care after the procedure. Someone must drive you ideal home group and also must be available to care for you for a minimum of the first 24 hours.

Complications for eyelid lift surgery are unlikely when the surgery is performed by a cosmetic surgeon with experience in performing blepharoplasty. These complications would include swelling and bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, asymmetry, double vision, a drooping of the lower or upper eyelid, and dry eyes. The surrounding are of the eyes will likely remain swollen in the days after the surgery. That area should begin to subside after the first day. Some blurry vision directly after surgery is normal.