subject: Eyelid Surgery: Know The Different Methods [print this page] Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a relatively common procedure that is often opted for in order to alter the appearance of the eyelids. There are different methods and techniques to change the cosmetic aspects as well as the functionality of the eyelid.
Many times a person chooses to have a blepharoplasty due to the appearance of sagging, droopy skin resulting from the aging process. The decision to have surgical alteration of one's eyelids is not only made for cosmetic reasons, however. The excess skin can begin to hamper one's ability to see, making tasks such as driving more difficult and even dangerous. Before performing a blepharoplasty, a plastic surgeon will make certain that the patient has had a vision screening test, as well.
At other times, especially in the Asian culture, blepharoplasty is chosen simply to alter the appearance of the eyes. The crease in the upper eyelid is altered, as it can play an integral part in the way eyes look. Asian eyes are sometimes deemed to have a single crease, although there is a substantial variety in their appearance.
Some creases appear fairly even and parallel along the length of the eye while others appear in a more graduated fashion. If there is not much lid exposed, it can be difficult to wear makeup in order to adorn the area, which some are unhappy with.
In an Asian blepharoplasty, the goal would not be to westernize the eyes, but to enhance them and still allow them to reflect their own lovely ethnicity. There are two methods to achieve this, the open thread/suture technique and the closed incision technique. With the open thread/suture method, stitches are placed in the lid to form a crease. With the closed incision type, an incision is made and then re-sutured in order to form the fold.
With a traditional procedure, excess skin and fat is removed from either the upper or lower lid, or sometimes both. Upper lids are the culprits in obstructing a patient's vision. If this is discovered to be the case, medical insurance will often pay to have this hazard alleviated. The patient is usually anesthetized using a local anesthetic and sedation. The procedure is most often done on an outpatient basis unless it is being performed in conjunction with other cosmetic surgical procedures. It may be done using the traditional scalpel and suture technique or can also now be performed with lasers, which can help to reduce swelling and bleeding.
A plastic or reconstructive surgeon who specializes in these procedures would most likely be the physician you'd want to turn to. At times, however, an Ophthalmologist might be a good choice, as well.
