What is upper blepharoplasty?

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty surgery  is a surgical operation to address excess eyelid skin, hooded eyelids and lift droopy eyelids. This surgery can assist with ageing changes seen in people in their 40s, 50s and 60s. 

 

Top 3 conditions addressed: 

Very effective treatment to address:
  1. Hooded eyelids,
  2. Droopy eyelids, and
  3. Excess eyelid skin.

The following ageing changes around the upper eyelid often prompt patients to seek remedial treatments

  • Excess upper eyelid skin that causes heaviness and eyelid hooding
  • The eyelid can droop due to weakness, also called eyelid ptosis
  • The eyelid can move up (eyelid retraction)
  • The eyelid muscle may be weak or scarred and eyelid closure may be incomplete risking damage to the eye
  • There may be excessive upper eyelid fullness due to bulging fat or upper eyelids hollow and sunken eyelids due to loss of fat. 
  • Absent or a very high eyelid crease or an asymmetric eyelid crease.
  • Uneven eyelids

 

Surgical or non-surgical options?

Non-Surgical options using skin tightening devices like plasma pens may be useful in select number of cases that have very small amount of loose skin. But surgery is a definitive  treatment for hooded eyelids, droopy eyelids, and excess eyelid skin.

 

Can men have upper blepharoplasty eyelid surgery

Yes, men can undergo eyelid surgery too. Men undergo eyelid surgery to treat hooded eyelids, droopy eyelids and eyebags which are very effective as they offer a definitive solution.

 

What is an Eyelift?

An eyelift is another term used to refer to upper eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty to open up the eyes to improve vision. Eyelift is not to be confused with Browlift which is surgery of the eyebrow. Both browlift and blepharoplasty are frequently combined to support the eyelid.

 

What causes droopy eyelids?

The eyelids are delicate and complex structures that can be affected by a variety of conditions. There are many causes of eyelid drooping or acquired ptosis.

 

The commonest cause of droopy eyelids

  • Overstretching and disinsertion of the muscle and the tendon that opens the upper eyelid due to age related changes

Other causes include

  • Eyelid growth, tumours or swelling
  • Muscular and neurological problems
  • Nerve damage in the eye muscles.
  • Trauma to the eyelid structures including nerve injury
  • As a complication of anti-wrinkle injections.

 

Why do patients complain that their upper eyelids become heavy?

Eyelids become fatigued due to over activity of the eyelid muscle resulting in a feeling of heaviness. Nowadays overuse is related to long hours of focusing on a computer screen, tablet or a smart phone. It is estimated that on average people spend in excess of 8 hours per day in front of a screen.  When you are young, your eyelid muscle and the surrounding tissues cope better with prolonged strain.
 
However, as you get older features such as excess eyelid skin, excess fat and droopy brow add additional weight on the upper eyelid exaggerating the sensation of ‘eyelid heaviness’. This is frequently accompanied by frontal headaches due to the constant activity of the forehead muscle.
 

PATIENTS WITH HOODED EYELIDS, DROOPY OR WEAK EYELIDS MAY HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS 

  • Headaches, particularly tension headaches in the forehead area especially at the end of the day. 
  • Neck pain due to straining
  • A feeling of eyelid heaviness at the end of the day despite the routine use of glasses.
  • Smudging of eyeshadow due to overhang of excess skin

WHAT DOES  CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS WITH HOODED EYELIDS, DROOPY OR WEAK EYELIDS REVEAL?

  • Eyebrow elevation, high arched eyebrows or uneven eyebrows in an attempt to compensate for restricted visual fields
  • Overhanging excess skin on the upper eyelids touching the eyelashes or hooding making the eyelids weak or droopy looking 
  • A hollow look in the eye socket, due to loss of fat.
  • Tired look due to droopy or weak eyelids
  • Fat bulges in the upper eyelid and loose excess and crepey skin.
  • Reduced eyeshadow space.
  • Uneven or asymmetric eyes
  • Uneven asymmetric eyelid crease

PATIENTS WITH HOODED EYELIDS, DROOPY OR WEAK EYELIDS HAVE THESE PRACTICAL CONCERNS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF BEING CAUSED BY THE EYELIDS

  • Vision is bad despite wearing reading glasses.
  • Difficulty reading in dim light situations such as early morning or late in the evening.
  • Difficulty driving at night 
  • Restaurant menus are hard to read often requiring a bright source of light like a torch on your smart phone.
  • Occasionally run into objects because you did not see them coming.
  • When you wake up in the middle of the night, you struggle to see as everything is pitch black.

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OUR PROCESS 

You will generally see Dr Somia 3 times before your surgery.   If you prefer one of these consultations can be held via telehealth.    Two consultations are required by law before a date for surgery is scheduled.   This is to allow you plenty of time to ask questions and feel comfortable about the procedure.   Your third consultation will assist us to prepare you for your surgery (ie paperwork, pre-operative testing). 

 

PROCEDURE DETAILS 

The surgery takes approximately  1.5 hours to 2.5 hours depending on the procedure recommended and requires an overnight stay in hospital.   Our fees include specialist plastic surgeon, specialist anaesthetist, fully accredited hospital theatre, accommodation and 6 months aftercare.    A formal estimate will be provided after you have discussed your goals and what is possible to achieve them with Dr Somia.  

 

RECOVERY 

Each patient recovers at a different rate and anothers recovery should not be compared with yours. 

Generally, initial recovery from swelling and bruising is approximately 2 weeks.   A return to normal activities can usually be expected after 6 weeks.   Full results can be expected 3-6 months after.  

You can return to work when you feel well and if your employer has lighter duties for you and will allow you to take time to rest and move around.    Most patients take 2-3 weeks off work if they work in an office context.   Patients working outdoors or in a physical capacity may need to take up to 6 weeks off work whilst they recover.   Talk to us about your specific occupation and surgery.   

You can drive when the anaesthetic has worn off, your vision is clear, and you are pain free getting in and out of the care and whilst performing an emergency stop.   You should check your vehicle insurance policy for their requirements in this situation.  

 

RISKS 

All surgery carries risks. When travelling overseas on a plane whilst the expectation is a safe journey and arrival, it is understood things could go wrong. The choice of the airline based on safety record and flight path are important elements in determining risk. Similarly, for your surgery, the experience and expertise of your Surgeon, the skill of your anaesthetist and the standard of the hospital will determine the risk. Risks, both general and specific, will be discussed during your consultations and written information will be provided for you to take home.    

General risks include pneumonia, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack, allergies, awareness, death, bleeding, infection, sensation change, haematoma and seroma, skin contour irregularities, damage to deeper structures, firmness, delayed healing and tissue death, exposed sutures, dog ears or additional skin golds, dressing issues, asymmetry, scars, lymphoedema and unsatisfactory results. 

Risks specific to Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) surgery are:  injury to the eye globe, need for extra tissue,  loss of vision, changes to tear secretion,  conjunctival oedema and chemosis, exposed sutures,  upper eyelid malposition, difficulty closing the upper eyelid and corneal exposure, lower eyelid malposition and eyelash loss.                                

 

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Our practice privacy policy prevents sharing patient before and afters online. Indicative before and after photos can be viewed during your consultation.  

 
DISCLAIMERS:   All surgical procedures are performed by Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Naveen Somia (MBBS PhD, FRACS - APHRA Reg:  MED 0001189889).  For full information on Dr Somia's qualifications and risk/recovery information on procedures please visit the procedure page on this website.  From July 1, 2023 all surgical procedures require a GP referral.
 
All surgery carries risks.  information provided is general only.  Outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes of others given factors such as genetics, diet and exercise.  Please seek a 2nd opinion from a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.  

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or call: 02 9387 2110

fracs

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

psruol

Plastic Surgery Research University of Louisville

trcosof

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

paces

PACES Plastic Surgery Atlanta USA