Blepharoplasty - Why Blepharoplasty is Necessary

You might consider blepharoplasty if you want to remove the excess tissue that keeps your eyes from opening completely. Removing this tissue can improve vision and make your eyes appear younger and more alert. Specifically, blepharoplasty repairs:

Baggy or puffy upper eyelids.
Excess skin on lower eyelids.
Bags under eyes.

You may have a medical reason for this surgery if your ability to see is affected.. If you have the surgery only to improve your appearance, it may not be covered by insurance.

The goal of blepharoplasty is to brighten the face and restore a more youthful appearance. In some patients the major goal is to improve vision by removing the excessive skin of the upper eyelids that can hang down and interfere with peripheral vision.

The eyes are usually the first place to show signs of aging. Over time, the upper eyelids can develop folds of loose skin that give the eyes a heavy and tired look. Droopy upper eyelids can also make it difficult to wear eye make-up. Lower eyelids can also appear droopy or baggy, giving a tired, sometimes sad look to the face. Since eyelid skin is much thinner than that on the rest of the face, the eyes are usually the first facial component to demonstrate a deterioration of elasticity that results in fine wrinkles.

Sun damage, smoking, stretching from swelling or obesity, "wear and tear" from blinking and rubbing, age-related loss of elasticity and heredity all contribute to changes in the eyelid skin, muscle, fat and support system.

Although one might think that facial plastic surgery and rejuvenation is only necessary for individuals over the age of 50, individuals in their thirties and forties are excellent candidates for a number of particular rejuvenation therapies, specifically eye rejuvenation. It is not unusual to see hooded upper eyelids, sagging lower eyelids and baggy eyes in individuals in their thirties.

Generally, dark circles underneath the eyes are due to a shadow affect caused by protruding fat in and around the eyeball socket. There is also an increase in pigmentation to the lower eyelid that accentuates the tired / baggy appearance. There are a number of factors that affect baggy eyelids, including persistent allergies, genetic predisposition, sinusitis and recurrent swelling to the lower eyelid. In and around the eyes themselves is a layer and coating of fatty tissue called adipose tissue. This fatty layer is kept in place by a membrane. The fatty layer is important because it supports and protects the eye and associated neurovascular structures and muscles. As time passes the fatty tissue bulges forward through the support membrane, causing herniation and protrusion of the fat and this is due to the laxity of the lower eyelid septum.

There are many factors that may increase lower eyelid swelling. The most significant is the swelling that occurs during a woman’s monthly cycle. Allergies also contribute greatly to increased swelling in and around the eyes.

For most individuals, the contributing factor for baggy eyes and lower puffy eyelids is protruding fat in the lower eyelid area, which is unrelated to any specific medical problem.

Excessive upper eyelid tissue can block the upper part of the visual field. This can be determined by lifting the upper lids with your fingers to see if the upper visual field improves or vision brightens. A formal visual field test may be helpful in this situation. The weight of the excess tissue may cause brow ache and fatigue. Occasionally, the excess skin can cause eyelashes to turn in and irritate the eye.

An excessive number of wrinkled skin folds above the eyes can produce a sagging tired look that detracts from one's general appearance. In this situation, blepharoplasty may be considered for cosmetic reasons even though vision is not affected. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is one of the most common plastic surgery operations performed.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.