By Your eyes are the window to your soul and the defining feature of your face. Many men and women experience problems with drooping eyelids which can be unsightly and cause vision problems. As the feature that cannot be concealed, it is important to keep your eyes looking healthy and lively, which cannot be achieved with over the counter beauty products or cosmetics.
Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is the most common form of cosmetic surgery in most of Eastern Asia, and the second most common in the United States following rhinoplasty. It can help to accentuate your eyes and make your face appear more vibrant and youthful. Eyelid surgery can correct puffiness of the eyelids and remove the excess skin which makes the skin look tired and old, and enhance the size and shape of the eyes.
Eyelid surgery, which is sometimes known as double eyelid surgery, is common among men and women of Asian descent who wish to create a crease in the eyelids for cosmetic purposes. There has been some criticism of the procedure suggesting that it results from the indoctrination of Western standards of beauty. In China, it is often believed that eyelid surgery improves a graduate’s job prospects because it makes men and women look more energetic.
Not all eyelid surgeries are for cosmetic reasons; the procedure is commonly performed on those with vision problems caused by drooping eyelids due to old age and sagging skin as well as some congenital conditions that weaken the eyelid such as Ptosis. Patients can suffer a loss of peripheral vision when their eyelids sag below the eyelash line, which is important to repair.
How does Eyelid Surgery work?
Many people think that eyelid surgery is an invasive and dangerous procedure, which is likely to lead to permanent blindness. While there are risks involved, thanks to advances in medical technology, eyelid surgery is a minimally invasive and quick procedure that often heals in a short time period.
Prior to the procedure the surgeon will assess the patient and help them decide the crease position of the eyelid.
The procedure is generally performed under local anesthetic by a qualified surgeon, and involves a small incision along the natural fold of the eyelid and is closed with fine stitches. For patients wanting surgery both on their eyelids and under their eyes, surgeons cannot perform both in one individual procedure, so it is necessary to have two separate surgeries.
Patients may experience some bruising and swelling following the surgery, however once it has healed it is virtually unnoticeable. Most patients notice a significant difference in their appearance immediately after the swelling has subsided, however the full results are not fully visible until a year after the surgery when the scarring has fully healed.
Complications of Eyelid Surgery
When considering eyelid surgery, it is crucial that you choose a qualified and experienced surgeon. Despite the routine nature of the procedure, eyelid surgery can lead to serious complications if it is undertaken by somebody lacking the requisite expertise including eyelid asymmetry, temporary or permanent numbness or even vision impairment. While most complications can be fixed by a follow up surgery, it can be costly and painful if it is not carried out correctly the first time.
A woman in the United Kingdom who underwent a botched eyelid surgery was left unable to blink or close her eyes, leading to excessive dryness. Other patients have experienced persistent pain, uneven eyelids and even paralysis in the muscles around the eyelid. The eyes are one of the most important organs in the body and the consequences can be severe if surgery is not performed to the highest quality.
How to choose the right surgeon
If you are planning to undergo eyelid surgery, either for cosmetic or vision reasons, it is important to research the surgeon before you commit to anything. Unqualified budget surgeons may offer a lower price, however the pain and suffering, as well as the corrective surgery are not worth the saving. It is important to research the expertise and experience of the surgeon to ensure you receive the best care.
It is also worth considering the best time to undergo the procedure. Surgery is minimally invasive however you will require recovery time, so it is recommended not to schedule your surgery less than a week before an important event unless you want to attend with bruised eyelids.
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