The skin around your eyes is often the first area to show signs of aging, such as crepey skin, sagging, and wrinkles. If you develop sagging lids that hang over your eyes, your eyes appear smaller, and you may have difficulty with your peripheral vision. Finally, bags under your eyes can add years to your appearance. If you have tired-looking eyes, people may think you aren’t getting enough rest and are exhausted. Blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, can improve the area around your eyes and give you a more vibrant, youthful appearance and improve your vision.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the surgical removal of excess skin around the eyes, including the eyelids. With age, the skin around the eyes stretches. Muscles and deep supporting tissues in the area weaken and contribute to sagging skin. This leads to the excess skin and fat on the eyelids and under-eye bags. Blepharoplasty removes the excess skin and fat to restore youthful contour and smooth out the bags and wrinkles. Laser resurfacing or chemical peels are frequently used as an adjunct to optimize and blend the results with the regional skin.
- Reduce Undereye Bags
Blepharoplasty below the eyes reduces puffiness and removes the wrinkles caused by sagging skin. The fat under the eyes is sculpted or re-positioned and the skin tightened for a smoother look. This surgery often removes undereye bags for life.
If bags under your eyes make you look older than you are, you may be self-conscious about your appearance. Many women try to cover undereye bags with makeup but end up with foundation or concealer, caking in the creases and making the bags more noticeable. Blepharoplasty is more effective, natural appearing and long-lasting approach even without make-up.
- Correct Sleepy Eyes
Droopy eyelids can make you look like you need more sleep. Friends and coworkers may assume you aren’t paying attention when your eyes look half-closed. Unfortunately, if you have sleepy-looking, drooping eyelids, you can’t force them to stay open. Your eyes also appear smaller.
Blepharoplasty minimizes the sleepy appearance, giving you a more alert, rested appearance. Your eyes will also seem larger and more rounded for an attractive look that can take years off your face. During surgery, extra skin is removed and the muscle that controls the eyelid is tightened. In severe cases, the muscle may be reattached and strengthened. The result is a wide-eyed, fresh appearance.
- Restore Peripheral Vision
Sometimes sagging, droopy eyelids are so prominent they interfere with an individual’s peripheral vision. It becomes difficult to see to the side, particularly in your peripheral vision’s upper and lower quadrants. This may be caused by aging, genetics, or nerve damage.
Blepharoplasty is performed to lift the lid and tighten the muscles controlling the eyelid. The procedure is similar to that used for cosmetic reasons but may be deemed medically necessary if your vision is affected. In these situations, medical insurance may cover the procedure because the eyelids prevent your eyes’ normal function.
Whether you need surgery to correct problems with peripheral vision or want to reduce the signs of fatigue and aging caused by sagging eyelids and undereye bags, Dr. Gilbert can help you determine the best option for a natural and youthful appearance. Contact our office at Inland Institute - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office Phone Number 909-982-8888 to schedule your blepharoplasty consultation today.