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Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery
At the Eye Center of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, Florida, our eye surgeons are proud to offer our patients ophthalmic plastic surgery to improve symptoms related to droopy eyelids. If you are experiencing drooping lids that are causing you to look tired or interfering with your vision, the blepharoplasty procedure may be right for you.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a type of eyelid surgery that corrects drooping or sagging skin of the upper and lower eyelids. Many people feel that their drooping lids affect their confidence in their appearance because the drooping can make them look tired.
Besides the unwanted cosmetic effects of drooping lids, if severe enough, droopy eyelids can also interfere with your vision. If your upper eyelids are droopy and you have noticed difficulty seeing well enough to read or drive, see your eye doctor at the Eye Center of St. Augustine.
The most common cause of eyelid drooping is age. As you age, the skin on your eyelids may begin to stretch, and the muscles in the eyelids begin to weaken.
The blepharoplasty procedure is an inpatient procedure, meaning you get to go home the same day. At the Eye Center of St. Augustine, our eye doctors have extensive experience performing this type of ophthalmic plastic surgery and are dedicated to improving your droopy eyelid symptoms.
Who is a Candidate for the Blepharoplasty Procedure?
Before you can schedule the blepharoplasty procedure, your eye doctor must confirm that you are a candidate. The only way to determine whether or not you may be a candidate for the blepharoplasty procedure is to visit your eye doctor at the Eye Center of St. Augustine for an evaluation.
During this evaluation, your eye doctor will weigh a variety of factors, including your symptoms, your cosmetic goals, and how much your eyelids are interfering with your vision. Many times, blepharoplasty is performed for strictly cosmetic reasons.
However, if the functioning of your eyelids is impaired by the excess skin or if your upper eyelids droop so low that they are interfering with the quality of your vision or the field of your vision, the procedure may be covered by insurance. In some cases, the drooping in your eyelids may require alternate procedures to adequately lift your eyelid into the appropriate position.
At your consultation, your eye doctor at the Eye Center of St. Augustine will help determine if this procedure is right for you or if another procedure may better accomplish your goals.
What Happens During the Blepharoplasty Procedure?
The blepharoplasty procedure is a safe procedure that can be as short as one hour but may take up to three. At the Eye Center of St. Augustine, our ophthalmic plastic surgeons will take careful consideration of the shape and structure of your eyes during the blepharoplasty procedure to produce the most natural results.
Before an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, your eye doctor will numb the eyelid area with a local anesthetic, so you are comfortable. In order to remove the excess skin and fat, they will make an incision in your eyelid.
Your ophthalmic plastic surgeon will make the incision along your natural eyelid crease. This method allows the incision scar to be mostly hidden after you’ve healed from the procedure.
Next, they will remove the necessary amount of skin and fat to improve your symptoms. After this excess tissue is removed, your eye doctor will close the incision with sutures.
If you have a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the procedure is very similar. Your ophthalmic plastic surgeon will begin by numbing the lower eyelid area with a local anesthetic.
During a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, your eye surgeon will make an incision right below the lower eyelid eyelash line. They will also aim to place this incision strategically so that it is as hidden as possible after you heal.
Next, they will remove the excess skin and redistribute or remove excess fat in your lower eyelids. After, they will close the incision with sutures.
How Long is the Recovery after the Blepharoplasty Procedure?
After your procedure, you will need to rest for a little while before going home. During the initial stages of recovery, you may notice some symptoms like swelling or bruising of the eyelids, watery eyes, and light sensitivity.
Your eye doctor may ask you to use an ointment on your incisions to help with the healing process. This ointment may make its way inside your eyes which can blur your vision.
However, this symptom, as well as any others you may experience, is temporary. Your eye doctor will instruct you on how to manage your post-surgery symptoms, like using ice packs to reduce swelling.
Your eye doctor will provide you with a list of instructions to follow to help you heal properly and avoid complications. You will need to rest during your recovery period and avoid doing any strenuous activities like heavy lifting or exercising.
The bruising and swelling around your eyes will naturally reduce slowly over the next ten to fourteen days. Although you will be able to slowly reintroduce your everyday activities into your routine, you can expect to spend this period of time recovering.
Your eye doctor will want to see you back in the office periodically after your procedure. During these visits, your eye doctor will check to ensure that your eyes are healing properly and that you are not experiencing any complications.
For most people, the results of the blepharoplasty procedure last a lifetime. However, in some cases, revision or additional procedures may be necessary.
Are you interested in learning more about the blepharoplasty procedure or determining if it may be right for you? Schedule an appointment at the Eye Center of St. Augustine in St. Augustine, FL, today!
