Plastic surgery
of the eyelid (Blepharoplasty)
The skin of eyelids slackens
and wrinkles with ageing and the upper eyelid
begins to hang, while the lower eyelid becomes
baggy and these are strongly ageing the face.
The essence of the plastic surgery of the eyelid
(blepharoplasty):
- Smoothening of eyelids by slitting out the
excess skin
- Fat tissue surrounding the eyeball and ceasing
the eyelid muscle fibres pre - bulging
- Correction of lower eyelid, because of turn
out by its tissues major slackening
With the operation very spectacular
results can be attained, however it will not last
for a life time. Slackness of the eyelids can
appear in 10-12 years time again. When it happens
a newer operation may be completed. The operation
is hardly ever needed before the age of 35. There
is no upper age limit. Amongst the patients women
and men are equally occurring. Important to know:
for the so-called crow’s foot, or for the fine,
small crinkles around the eyes the operation is
not suitable. These should be treated by injection
techniques.
Operational incisions and
scars
During the operation slits are
made on the skin of the eyelids. The scar runs
above the upper eyelid 8- 10 mm from the inner
to the outer corner of the eye. Below the scar
is running directly 1.2 mm under the eyelashes.
Though these scars remain final, they are generally
so thin, that even without make up they are hardly
visible.
The operation of both eyelids
takes about 2-3 hours. General anaesthesia is
used rare during the operation, since the patient
has to do certain things during the operation
(like opening the eye, or closing it, looking
upwards). The anaesthetic injection is unpleasant,
but effects at once and thereafter is no pain.
At the end of the operation, a thin yarn, which
is thinner than a single hair, sews the wound
and the eyelids are fixed with a lean glue tape.
This bandage does not disturb the vision. After
a short rest and 40- 50 minutes icing, the patient
can go home. Following the operation the eyelids
discolour, become purple, due to bruising can
be swollen. These are natural symptoms and disappear
by itself in 7 - 12 days time. Due to swelling,
the closure of the eyes may temporarily be not
perfect and the lower eyelids from the eyeball
at small degree can be separated. This could cause
tear dropping, but it is temporary. Within a few
weeks, these complaints cease.
Important information following the operation
Following the operation the
patient has to rest at home, advisably in bed.
For three days he should lay and sleep with lifted
up body, supported by several pillows. Advisable
is to listen to music, instead of reading and
watching TV. From the fourth day on, the patient
can sleep flatly. Then easy physical work and
activity, walking, sitting or intellectual work
are also allowed. Bending, lifting of heavier
weights and the consuming of spicy meals, must
be avoided. In the first two days, the operated
area can be iced (several times for 10- 15 minutes).
The pain is not strong, however, in the first
two nights painkillers might be needed. Till the
fourth day following the operation, water mustn’t
reach the wound. At any mucus, clean the eye gap
with camomile cotton-wools. More intensive movements,
heavy physical work and sport activities can begin
in two weeks time. It isn’t allowed to use make-up
for two weeks. .
Possible complications:
- Haemorrhage: very rare, that towards the eye
corner haemorrhage happens. The signs are stretching
pain around the eye and deterioration of vision
sharpness. The operating surgeon urgently has
to be informed. On the white area of the eyeball
reddish discolouring also refers to haemorrhage,
however, in several weeks is absorbed by itself.
- Inflammation: conjunctivitis occurs in 1-2
%. This you can treat with camomile and eye
drops, because they improve this. Inflammation
of fat - bags is very rare.
- Chronic scar development is seldom.
- Pulling the scar turns the eyelash out: several
per thousand incident, usually with massage
can be ceased; at seldom newer operation is
required.
- Steady tearing or eye dryness is rare and
steady eyelids discolouring is also very rare.
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