The history of blepharoplasty dates back to the 10th century. century. Nowadays, it is one of the most common procedures in facial aesthetic surgery.
The main aim of the surgery is to remove loose or sagging skin – a change that is usually associated with ageing but can occur at any age. A sagging upper eyelid is usually only a cosmetic problem, but in some cases it can also limit the patient’s field of vision. Often an associated problem is the accumulation of excess fatty tissue in the hips. In the lower eyelids, the most common problem is excess fat accumulation, which causes swelling and gives the face a tired look.
Most of the time, hernia corrective surgeries are performed on patients aged 35 and older.
Operation and recovery
Upper eyelid surgery removes excess skin, including some of the eye’s ring muscle and fat tissue through an incision hidden in the forehead so that the scar is only visible in the outer corner of the eye. A lower eyelid correction involves hiding the incision near the lower eyelashes, removing excess fat, skin and some of the flesh. The operation is usually performed under local anaesthesia and takes 1-3 hours.
The patient is allowed to go home 2-4 hours after the operation. During the first 24 hours, it is recommended to use cold packs to cool the surgical area and reduce swelling. You should wear sunglasses on the first days to protect your eyes. The wounds are removed 5-7 days after the operation. The swelling and bruising generally disappear within 2 weeks, but rarely mild to moderate swelling may persist for longer (up to 6 weeks). After 2-3 weeks, the patient can return to their usual physical activity.
Performance and risks
The final result of the operation can be seen after 6 months. The results are mostly long-lasting, lasting up to 10 years.
Serious complications of blepharoplasty are rare. Bruising (accumulation of blood in the subcutaneous tissues), wound inflammation, reactions to anaesthetics are possible. Temporary blurring of vision, dry eyes and irritation are possible – and may also require treatment. A temporary change in the sensitivity of the forehead skin and a functional disturbance of the forehead are also possible.
The surgeries are performed by Dr Indrek Mikomägi.
