Blepharoplasty (Eyelid lift)
Your eyes are often the first thing people notice about you and are an important aspect of your overall appearance. As we age, the tone and shape of our eyelids can loosen and sag. Heredity and sun exposure also contribute to this process. This excess, puffy or lax skin can make you appear more tired or older than you are. Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty (pronounced “blef-a-ro-plasty”) can give the eyes a more youthful look by removing excess skin, bulging fat, and lax muscle from the upper or lower eyelids. If the sagging upper eyelid skin obstructs peripheral vision, blepharoplasty can eliminate the obstruction and expand the visual field. (Click for Photo Gallery)
Upper Blepharoplasty
For the upper eyelids, excess skin and fat are removed through an incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease. If the lid is droopy, the muscle that raises the upper lid can be tightened. The incision is then closed with fine sutures.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
Lower Blepharoplasty
Fat in the lower eyelids can be removed or repositioned through an incision hidden on the inner surface of the eyelid. Laser resurfacing or a chemical peel can be performed at the same time if desired, to smooth and tighten the lower lid skin. If there is excessive skin in the lower lid, the incision is made just below the lashes. Fat can be removed or repositioned through this incision, and the excess skin removed. Repositioning the fat into the tear troughs, helps reduce under eye circles, as seen in the picture below. The incision is then closed with fine sutures.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty
Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty with fat reposition
Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty
Upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed together and also can be combined with other procedures such as eyebrow or forehead lift and midface lift.
Eyelid surgery insurance requirements
Eyelid surgery is very often covered by insurance when it blocks your vision. Click here to see Dr. Harris discuss eyelid surgery insurance requirements (video).
Who Should Perform A Blepharoplasty?
When choosing a surgeon to perform blepharoplasty, look for a cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgeon who specializes in the eyelids, orbit, and tear drain system. As a member of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Dr. Harris is not only a board certified ophthalmologist who knows the anatomy and structure of the eyelids and orbit, but also has had extensive training in ophthalmic plastic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Blepharoplasty is the most common procedure Dr. Harris performs.