| Procedure | Aesthetic concerns about the upper eyelid include excess skin, hooding and fat protrusions. Hooded eyelids can obstruct the vision. It can sometimes be beneficial to lift the eyebrows instead or in addition to the lids. An upper blepharoplasty (=eyelid surgery / eyelid or lid lift) can remove redundant skin, muscle, and fat. If the lid margin sits low (=blepharoptosis), a different surgery is required. The operation in this case aims at lifting the lid rather than removing skin. This is more complex surgery. Upper eyelid surgery is performed under a local anaesthetic. Combined upper and lower eyelid surgery is done under a general anaesthetic. The wounds are repaired with sutures under the skin which do not require removal and dissolve within four months. |
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| Scars | Upper eyelid crease with short sidewards extension |
| Operation time | 1 hour |
| Anaesthesia | Local |
| Hospital Stay | Day Surgery |
| Benefits | Aesthetic, Psychological, Functional |
| Risks | Bleeding, Infection, Scar problems (stretched, thick, abnormal pigmentation, red, retracted etc.), Skin discoloration, Skin cones, Wound separation, Slough, Necrosis, Pain, Irritation, Nerve injury (Numbness, weakness), Bruising, Swelling, Hollowness, Cysts, Overcorrection, Undercorrection, Asymmetry, Recurrent redundancy, Aesthetic imperfections, Eye injury / irritation / dryness, Cornea abrasion, Double / blurred vision, Sympathetic ophthalmia, Blindness, Contour irregularities, Need for further surgery (+/- skin grafts), Lagophthalmos (Inability to close eyes), Brow ptosis (=droopiness), Allergic reaction. N.B. Most complications are unlikely. Serious risks or death are rare |
| Risk factors | Smoking, high blood pressure, bleeding tendency, diabetes, pre-existing eye problems, wearing contact lenses in the first two weeks following surgery |
| Optimising factors | Diet rich in Vitamin C and protein, plenty of fluids, fresh air, scar massage, sun protection, for dry eyes before surgery use hot flannels and lid massage 10min twice daily for two weeks |
| Discomfort | 1 week |
| Bruising | 2 - 3 weeks |
| Recovery | Driving and light activities 1 week, Physical work & sports 4 weeks |
| Acceptable appearance | 2 - 4 weeks for most patients (This is subjective) |
| Final result | 6 - 18 months |
| Alternatives | No Surgery, Make-up, Fillers, Fat transfer, Laser, Botulinum toxin |
Anstey Hall
Maris Lane
Cambridge
CB2 9LN
