Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Our eyes are often the first facial feature that attracts attention and they form an important aspect of attractiveness and beauty. Over time, ageing can cause the upper eyelids to droop and eye bags can appear on the lower eyelids.

 
Illustration: Droopy upper eyelid skin

Age and gravity may cause the eyebrow and eyelid area to sag or droop. At the same time, sagging skin, the weakening of facial muscles, and build-up of fat pockets around the eyes, can give rise to unsightly eye bags or rings. Other than aesthetics, these conditions may also impair vision and cause eye strain or fatigue.

 
Illustration: Eye bags

You might feel that your eyes appear smaller or puffy, with others commenting that you constantly look tired. You might feel some strain or fatigue around the eye area. In severe cases, your vision might even be affected.

Maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle with enough rest will help to prevent rapid ageing of the skin in the eye area. Go for regular health screening to detect disease, e.g. liver, heart and kidney disease as these can sometimes contribute to puffy eyelids.  Avoid excessive eye rubbing to prevent loosening of the skin.

As with any surgery, there are certain risks associated with this procedure.

The following complications may occur:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Visible scars
• Tightness in lids
• Drooping lower lids
• Dryness

Usually, these complications will go away within weeks. However, these complications may occasionally be permanent and further surgical procedures may be necessary to correct them.

​The diagnosis of droopy eyelids and eye bags can be made by the doctor during your consultation. The doctor will assess the severity of your condition and discuss with you the risks, benefits and alternative treatment for the drooping or sagging eyelids.

Non-surgical treatment might involve botox or fillers to rejuvenate the eye area. Blepharoplasty – an aesthetic eyelid surgery – corrects baggy or sagging tissue around the eyes through removal of excess skin, fat and muscle from the eyelids. It is considered a reconstructive surgery to improve one’s vision, appearance or both. After the surgery, it will usually produce an effect that is pleasing to look at and can give one a more youthful, rested look.  It can be performed on one or both eyelids.

The recovery process is fairly quick post-surgery and in the weeks that follow:

• You will stay in the recovery room for one or two hours after surgery and will be discharged once you are no longer drowsy from the anaesthesia and the risk of abnormal bleeding, nausea, or swelling has passed.
• Cold compresses will help reduce swelling and bruising.
• Pain medication will be prescribed for you, if needed.
• You will need to avoid contact sports for three to four weeks.
• You will also need to avoid activities that can increase your pulse or blood pressure for two or three days to lower your risk of bleeding or swelling.