Blepharoplasty surgery can improve visual problems. The fold of skin that falls over the upper eyelid can be removed to make the eyes appear bigger. The convexity below the eyes can also be reduced.

Eyelid reductions can be done alone or at the same time as other facial surgery.

Either the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both can be treated during the same operation. The fold of skin that falls over the upper eye is carefully removed so that the shape of the eye is restored. Fatty tissue under the upper eyelid may also be removed. In the same way, skin of the lower eyelid may be excised, and fat tissue may be removed or repositioned.

If there is no skin to be removed from the lower eyelid, fatty tissue may be removed or repositioned through an incision on the inside of the eyelid. The operation takes between one and three hours.

As much as possible, incisions are made in the skin’s folds so that the scars are less visible. An incision is closed with a fine suture that is removed in four to five days; in most cases sutures that dissolve and that will not need to be removed are used. As the incisions heal, they should eventually fade.

A Blepharoplasty reduction will not remove the dark circles that can occur around the eyes, smile lines at the corners of the eyes, or a fallen brow obstructing vision. Other surgery such as a facelift (Melowplasty) or Brow lift may be needed.

Often approaching the eyelid area from two directions is a good approach. For example, a patient requesting upper eyelid surgery may be able to have a significant change to their eyelids by removing a lot of skin from their upper eyelid, but by removing half as much skin from the eyelid and performing a brow lift to raise the eyebrows, a similar degree of change with less obvious evidence of surgery can be achieved.

ANAESTHESIA

Our Melbourne Blepharoplasty surgery may be undertaken with either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. Dr. Breidahl will advise you which is best in your case.

You can usually drink fluids and eat a light meal two to three hours after surgery. Discomfort is usually mild after eyelid reduction surgery and typically is limited to the incisions. You may need pain relief for a few days. Dr. Breidahl will prescribe pain medication.

Some bruising and swelling is to be expected in the area and usually subsides in three to four weeks. Sleeping with your head elevated will help to reduce swelling. Putting a cool compress gently over the area can also help relieve discomfort and swelling.

You can resume your normal activities a few days after surgery but do not smoke, undertake strenuous activity or drink a lot of alcohol during healing. Most people take between two and three weeks off work. Healing is usually complete within a few months.

You can wear make-up after about 10 days. There may be some temporary changes in vision that usually resolve quickly. Do not wear contact lenses for at least two weeks. After that, they can be worn but may still cause some discomfort for a while.