Eyelid Bags and Skin folds

Eye Plastic surgery

What are Eyelid Bags and Eyelid hooding?

Both upper and lower eyelid can have aging changes, that are typical. The upper eyelid can have excess skin that overhangs the lid fold and sometimes over the lashes (eyelid hooding). Smudging of the eye liner is an early sign of it.

The lower eyelid can have excessive fat bags, or fluid festoons both giving a tired look. Fat around the eye, unlike tummy fat, does not increase with age. When young, it is well hidden by the soft tissues in front of it. But as we age, the tissues that were holding it back become loose, thereby making the fat more 'apparent'. Therefore, rather than increase in fat, it just gets unmasked. True increase in fat around the eye is seen in thyroid eye disease, and can even happen in young age.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty simply means a cosmetic surgery of the eyelid performed to make it look better or younger. For upper eyelid, cosmetic Blepharoplasty is commonly done for the removal of excess skin to correct the “hooded” appearance of the lid. Some fat may also be removed, if required.

For lower eyelid, cosmetic Blepharoplasty is commonly done for the removal of under-eye “fat bags”. The result is a more youthful, rested appearance of the lower lids. Some skin may also be removed, if required.

Procedure

The upper eyelid Blepharoplasty is a 20-min procedure performed through an incision hidden within the eyelid fold. Excessive skin is carefully removed, so as to maintain its important blink function while making it look more youthful.

The lower eyelid Blepharoplasty is a 20-min procedure where the fat is removed through a hidden micro-incision behind the eyelid (trans-conjunctival). It leaves no visible scars on the eyelid skin. Sometimes, lower eyelid may also require some skin removal for effective treatment.

Blepharoplasty is performed as a day-care procedure under local anesthesia or monomal sedation. It takes 15-20 minutes per eyelid, and post-operative discomfort is minimal. Stitches, if any, are removed in 5-7 days. Most patients are back to light work within a week.