Eyelid Surgery: What It Is & How It Works

Eyelid problems can be painful and frustrating. They can hamper your vision and negatively impact your appearance. Luckily, eye surgeons (ophthalmologists) have found surgical solutions to most of these problems in current times. Read on to learn about why to get eyelid surgery, how it works, how to prepare, what is the recovery timeline, and more.

What Is Eyelid Surgery? 

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to improve the shape and appearance of your eyelids. This surgery can be performed on your upper, lower, or both eyelids.¹

Eyelid surgery can be used to treat both cosmetic and functional problems related to the eyelids. It can also be used to rejuvenate the areas around your eyelids.²

How Does Eyelid Surgery Work?

Blepharoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure — meaning you aren’t expected to stay in the hospital once it’s done unless there are complications. Eyelid surgery usually takes 1 to 3 hours.³

The eye surgeon will administer local anesthesia (through injection) to your eyelids to numb them and help you relax. This anesthesia will also numb the area around the eye and keep you sedated but awake throughout the procedure.⁴ 

If you’re getting upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon will make cuts along the natural creases or folds of your eyelid using a scalpel or laser. These cuts can extend from the inner crease to the crow’s feet (outer crease) region of the upper eyelid. The surgeon will then remove the extra tissue or fat as required. Once done, the surgeon will close the cuts using small stitches, which either dissolve naturally or can be removed in around a week.⁵

If you’re getting lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon will make cuts along the lash line and natural creases of the lower lid. Once they remove the excess fat or skin and the necessary correction is done, the cut will be similarly closed up with small sutures.⁶ 

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is a procedure used to correct eye puffiness. After removing the excess fat, surgeons use sutures that are typically invisible to the naked eye and don’t leave any visible scars.⁷

Who Is Eyelid Surgery For? 

Eyelid surgery can help treat the following conditions:⁸

• Cosmetic improvements related to puffiness or excess skin (bags) in the upper or lower lids
• Age-related problems like loose, sagging skin or wrinkles around the eyes
• Drooping eyelids

You’re probably not a good candidate for eye surgery if you’ve got:⁹

• Eye diseases like dry eye, detached retina, and glaucoma
• Thyroid disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease

How to Prepare for Eyelid Surgery? 

If you’ve decided to get eyelid surgery, you’ll first need to consult an eye surgeon or facial plastic surgeon, depending on your condition. At your initial visit, you’ll need to disclose your entire medical and surgical history, present symptoms, current health conditions, and all the medications you’re taking.¹⁰  

After studying your medical history and current condition, your surgeon will recommend a suitable procedure. Before the procedure, you’ll need to take an eye exam for measurements and to assess for tear production. The surgeon will assess the excess skin and fat around your eyelid, the position of your eyebrow, and the muscle of your eyelid. You’ll also undergo visual field testing and eyelid photography for medical and insurance purposes.¹¹

Explain your goals clearly to your surgeon and resolve all your doubts and queries to prevent any misunderstandings that could make you disappointed with your final appearance.¹²

You may need to stop taking certain medications like blood thinners before the surgery to avoid any harmful effects like excess bleeding. You should consider quitting smoking to accelerate your healing after the surgery.¹³

Arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you to the surgery and stay with you later, as you may have difficulty moving around immediately after the procedure.¹⁴

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Eyelid Surgery? 

Once the surgery’s done, you may be asked to stay in a recovery room for monitoring before being sent home. Some of the symptoms you may briefly experience after the surgery include:¹⁵

• pain or discomfort 
• blurred or double vision 
• numbness, swelling, or bruising of the eyelids (black eye) 
• tightness or soreness 
• sensitivity to light
• watering of the eyes

Although complete recovery might take a few weeks, most of these symptoms are temporary and usually resolve within 10 to 14 days. Here are some tips on how to speed up your recovery after eyelid surgery:¹⁶

1. Keep your head raised to decrease swelling.
2. Use ice packs every 10 minutes for the first evening after surgery to minimize bruising and swelling. The next day, you can use ice packs or cold compress 4 to 5 times a day.
3. Use eye drops and other ointments to prevent dry eye and protect against infections.
4. Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
5. Take mild painkillers like acetaminophen or aspirin if necessary.
6. Don’t touch or rub your eyes, even if they’re itchy.
7. Avoid strenuous activities like swimming or heavy lifting for a week after surgery.
8. Don’t use contact lenses or smoke for at least 2 weeks after surgery.
9. Don’t skip any follow-up appointments, and get the sutures removed on time if they’re the non-dissolving kind.
10. Don’t cook, drive, or perform any hazardous activities until your vision is completely clear.

What Are the Risks of Eyelid Surgery? 

Like all procedures, eyelid surgery is associated with certain risks. These include:¹⁷

• postoperative bleeding
• infection at the surgical site
• dry eyes or itching around the eyes
• abnormal appearance, folding, or discoloration of the eyelid skin
• blurry vision or vision loss
• inability to close the eyes
• a pulled-down or pushed-up lash line
• obvious scars or muscle damage

Eyelid surgery is generally considered safe and effective. It can not only make you look younger and fresher but also cure your medical concerns. However, health insurance may not always cover the cost if it’s done purely as a cosmetic procedure.¹⁸

To learn more about eyelid surgery and other types of procedures and treatment services, start your research at My Body Treatment today.

SOURCES:

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology: “Eyelid surgery.”
2. American Academy of Ophthalmologists: “Eyelid surgery.”
3. UCSF Health: “Eyelid surgery.”
4. UCSF Health: “Eyelid surgery.”
5. UCSF Health: “Eyelid surgery.”
6. UCSF Health: “Eyelid surgery.”
7. UCSF Health: “Eyelid surgery.”
8. Cleveland Clinic: “Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty).”
9. Cleveland Clinic: “Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty).”
10. Healthline: “What to Expect from Blepharoplasty.”
11. Healthline: “What to Expect from Blepharoplasty.”
12. Healthline: “What to Expect from Blepharoplasty.”
13. Healthline: “What to Expect from Blepharoplasty.”
14. NHS UK: “Eyelid surgery.”
15. NHS UK: “Eyelid surgery.”
16. NHS UK: “Eyelid surgery.”
17. NHS UK: “Eyelid surgery.”
18. Healthline: “What to Expect from Blepharoplasty.”