Reasons for & Benefits of a Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

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Types of Blepharoplasty

A Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can be carried out for various reasons, both medical and cosmetic.  The basic procedure involves one, or a combination, of the following:

• Upper eyelid Blepharoplasty involves incisions made into the natural folds leading outwards from the eye, allowing the extraction of fat and the tightening of loose or sagging muscle tissue, followed by stitching the incision closed. 
• Lower eyelid Blepharoplasty follows a similar pattern of cutting into the natural contours of lines beneath the eye, before tightening and ‘tucking’ the skin, sewing the incision closed to achieve a more youthful, ‘lifted’ look.

Medical vs Cosmetic Considerations for Blepharoplasty

From a medical perspective it can be considered necessary or advantageous to carry out this procedure if, for example, you have excessive fat deposits around the eye which have protruded to the extent that vision is impaired.  This is usually the case with upper eyelid surgery; conversely, lower eyelid surgery is generally performed for cosmetic reasons. 

If it is the case that this procedure has been suggested to you by a medical professional as a potential solution to health problems, then they should be able to advise you on the best course of action.  In such cases the benefits of Blepharoplasty are clear: improved vision, delayed associated medical problems (damage to the eye itself, avoiding the necessity for potentially more dangerous or invasive surgery at a later date), as well as the pleasant bonus of tighter, lifted skin and a perceived improvement in facial appearance. 

From a purely cosmetic perspective, the psychological impact on an individual with low self esteem resulting from anxiety or unhappiness with their appearance can be both profound and invigorating.  However, it is very important to be realistic about just how much of a physical change or improvement can be expected from a Blepharoplasty.  In isolation, it can achieve a subtle and effective look, particularly in cases where the ageing of the skin around the eye is not too marked; however, it is worth bearing in mind that it is a procedure that is often carried out in conjunction with a rhytidextomy or ‘facelift’ to achieve a more pronounced and lasting effect.  There are also potential side-effects and complications that must be taken into consideration, as with all major surgery.  These are issues that any reputable cosmetic surgeon should be willing to discuss with you as a potential client, as well as assessing your overall suitability for this, or any other, surgical cosmetic procedure.

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