Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery

As you age, the skin around your eyes naturally loses its elasticity and the muscles become looser. Your skin can develop into loose folds on your upper eyelids and deep creases under your lower lids making you appear tired and more aged depending on the severity.

As the muscles become looser, the fat around your eye may also bulge forward and make your lower eyelids appear baggy. Cosmetic eyelid surgery can remove the excess skin and fat from around your eyes giving you a more youthful appearance.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery (also known as a blepharoplasty) involves removing excess skin or fat from around the eyes to give a more alert and youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery can also help to reduce swelling (puffiness) around the eyes first thing in the morning. The procedure can be done on the upper and lower lids of the eyes.

Blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that our Ophthalmologists at Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast can perform on the upper or lower eyelids to remove excess skin and fat from around the eyes. Sagging eyebrows or eyelids can also be corrected at the same time.

Why is Blepharoplasty surgery performed?

Blepharoplasty surgery is performed to help improve visual function and/or improve cosmetic appearance of the eyes. Excessive upper eyelid tissue can obscure the upper part of the visual field. Lifting the upper lids with your fingers can help determine if this is a problem. If the upper visual field improves or vision brightens this type of surgery may be of benefit to improve your sight. A formal visual field test may be helpful in this situation. This can be booked at Sweeney Optician Eye and Hearing Care – part of the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group.

Excess tissue can cause brow ache and fatigue for many patients. Occasionally excess skin can cause eyelashes to turn in and irritate the surface of the eye. An excessive number of wrinkled skin folds above the eyes can result in a sagging tired look that detracts from one's general appearance. Blepharoplasty surgery can be considered for cosmetic reasons even if vision is not affected.

Why is it important to consult an Ophthalmologist when considering Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty surgery can affect the function and lubrication of the eyes and before deciding to have this type of surgery, a consultation with an Ophthalmologist is recommended before continuing.

At Kingsbridge Private Hospital you will meet with one of our expert cosmetic surgeons to discuss all elements of your procedure and aftercare. Our Consultant Ophthalmologists are trained specifically to treat conditions and perform surgeries of the eye. They are uniquely qualified in the area of expertise and can help you decide whether you should consider this type of surgery or not.

At your consultation your surgeon will discuss options available to you which may involve trying alternatives before opting for surgery. If surgery is agreed as the best option of treatment at your appointment, expectations of the surgery will also be discussed in full. Surgery of this kind can’t remove wrinkles at the corners of your eyes (crow's feet) or the dark shadows under your eyes but other forms of treatment will be discussed with you.

How is eyelid surgery performed?

Our consultant Ophthalmologist will determine the amount of skin and fat to be removed from the eye.  Upper and lower incision lines are marked along natural skin creases. Incision lines generally extend into the "crow's feet" or "smile lines" at the outer edge of the eye, so that once healed, the incision lines appear less visible. The excess skin and fat are removed, and the incisions are sutured closed to help healing. The procedure is performed with local or general anaesthesia depending on individual preference and health factors.

What results can I expect?

Results from this type of surgery are generally successful but surgical outcome will depend on the extent of the corrective work needed, the skin structure of the individual and healing time and process, hereditary factors linked to family, age and other physical characteristics. As with all surgical procedures, an element of risk exists. This will be discussed with you at your appointment.  

What are the alternatives to surgery?

Wrinkles around your eyes can also be reduced by using botulinum A toxin (eg Botox), chemical peels or laser treatments which are non-invasive and usually require little or no recovery time when performed by a specialist.

If you have cosmetic problems with other parts of your face, for example if your eyebrows are also drooping, a forehead or brow lift may be suggested to you instead.