Duration
60-120 minutes
Anaesthesia
Local with eventual sedation
Hospitalization
None
Return to society
1-2 weeks
Introduction


Eye is the mirror of the soul and the main issue to determine the age of a person. Cutaneous excess and adipose hernias of the eyelid occur with age producing a tired and stressed look. Blepharoplasty aims to remove the excess tissues and correct the palpebral herniation of adipose tissue.

The procedure is able to restore the aesthetic of the eyelids, produce a young and rested look. Procedures The term “Blepharoplasty” may include two main procedures: the upper lid blepharoplasty and inferior lid blepharoplasty. These techniques could be performed independently or effectively combined in order to maximize the aesthetic result. Canthopexy is an ancillary procedure and consists in reinforcing and re-anchoring the lateral canthal tendon.

Indications


 

  • Upper lid blepharoplasty. It consists in the removal of excess tissue from the upper eyelid (skin and adipose tissue). The scar is planned in the eyelid crease. A strip of orbicularis muscle can be removed during the procedure in order to reshape the crease. Upper lid blepharoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia, eventually associated to a mild sedation.
  • Inferior lid blepharoplasty. This procedure, generally performed along with upper lid blepharoplasty aims to remove the excess tissue from the lower lid (skin and adipose tissue). Local anesthesia with sedation are necessary.
  • Canthopexy. This ancillary process is generally indicated in association with lower lid blepharoplasty. This procedure aims to reinforce and re-anchor the lateral canthal tendon. This redefines the lower lid contour and is able to correct ectropion or entropion (respectively eversion or inversion of the eyelid margin).

Upper eyelid surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, while lower blepharoplasty and canthopexy require one or two days of hospital stay.

Surgical modalities and post-operative


Surgery requires 1 to 2 hours depending on the planned procedures (see above). The post-operative pain is mild and can effectively be controlled by analgesics. In some cases, the patient is required to hold a cold pack on dressing in order to prevent bruises. Suture is removed 4-7 days after surgery, while dressing is usually renovated approximatively every 3 days for about 14 days.

Postoperative edema is usually severe and regresses spontaneously in 2-3 weeks. Scars are noticeable for six months after surgery; afterwards they loose their erythematous appearance and disguise into eyelid folds.Daily activities are allowed one week after surgery.