Blepharoplasty: Your questions answered by an expert
Written by:Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to improve the appearance or function of the eyelid. Whether opting for surgery for cosmetic or functional reasons, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with blepharoplasty, including how the procedure can impact on vision quality, as well as what to expect from the procedure itself and the recovery period to follow. To learn more, we invited highly esteemed consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon Miss Kimia Ziahosseini to share her expert insight on blepharoplasty surgery.
Can a blepharoplasty go wrong?
That's a very good question. Blepharoplasty can go wrong and it’s important to be aware of the risks of this procedure, which is often considered "simple" cosmetic operation to improve the appearance of the eye.
In terms of upper eyelid blepharoplasty, if simply too much of the skin is removed from the upper eyelid, the eye would not shut comfortably. This can lead to exposure of the eye surface, uncomfortable red eye, or even ulceration of the cornea and scarring.
With lower eyelid blepharoplasty, you can imagine if one removes too much skin from the lower eyelid or if the procedure causes too much scarring, then the eyelid can be pulled out. First of all, that would give an uncomfortable and abnormal appearance. In addition, if the underlying muscles are damaged in any type of blepharoplasty procedure, this can cause double vision or an inability to look up.
Problems can occur when underlying muscles that move the eyeballs around are inadvertently damaged and scarred, as the eyeball no longer has the mobility that it had before which can affect our quality of vision.
How soon after a blepharoplasty can I apply makeup?
I usually tell my patients that two weeks is the minimum amount of time they should allow for the eyelid to heal, before applying makeup. After this time, you can apply eye makeup but you should keep it as simple as possible.
Can blepharoplasty affect vision quality?
Yes, blepharoplasty can improve vision. Simply put, by removing the heaviness of the upper eyelid, peripheral vision - the outer upper vision - can improve. Your field of vision can improve, as well as central vision, along with improving the appearance.
However, as previously discussed, should complications occur after eyelid blepharoplasty, vision can also deteriorate. If the eye is uncomfortable, cannot shut properly, or if there's double vision, this can adversely affect vision quality and eye health.
What is the ideal age to undergo blepharoplasty surgery?
I would say 45 and above is the right age to undergo blepharoplasty to improve the appearance of hooded upper eyelids. However, everybody is different and some people develop a hooded appearance of the eye at a younger age.
Alternatively, some patients may have specific features in mind that they wish to alter, much like in Asian upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedures, where an individual is looking to have a more Western European-looking upper eyelid.
Is a blepharoplasty procedure painful?
An upper or lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed under local anaesthetic. This involves an injection of the local anaesthetic substance into the eyelid, which can in itself be painful. There are many ways of reducing this pain by improving the technique, or by additional methods that can be used. Sometimes, additional sedation can be used to make the procedure more comfortable.
If you are considering blepharoplasty and wish to discuss your options with Miss Ziahosseini, you can schedule a consultation by visiting her Top Doctors profile.
