Eyelid Surgery Overview

If you have bags under your eyes, puffiness on your upper lids, or vision problems caused by sagging skin in the eye area, you may benefit from a blepharoplasty procedure. The blepharoplasty procedure is commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, and it can correct a number of problems in the eye area.

Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

Generally, candidates for blepharoplasty are over the age of 35, but most plastic surgeons require their patients to be at least 18 years of age to have this procedure. Regardless of your age, you will not be considered for surgery if you are not in good health, both mentally and physically. Although this seems like a simple plastic surgery procedure it does come with its own unique set of medical concerns and restrictions.

Certain eye conditions may exclude a person from being an ideal eyelid surgery candidate, including glaucoma and chronic dry eye. Both of these conditions exclude you from blepharoplasty because the procedure can lead to complications with either of these conditions. Additionally, there are a number of medical conditions that may exclude you as an eyelid surgery candidate, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and certain anatomical issues. These conditions can increase surgical risks and may lead to complications during healing.

Eyelid Surgery Results

Eyelid surgery is a popular and effective plastic surgery procedure, but it is important for an eyelid surgery candidate to understand the results this option can provide and to have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of their surgery. The blepharoplasty procedure can address some of the features that are making you look older, but the procedure does have its limitations. Crow's feet, dark under eye circles, and fine lines around the eye cannot be removed during the blepharoplasty procedure. However, your surgeon may be able to recommend complementary treatments, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, that can enhance the outcome of your surgery.