Posted April 28, 2020 in Blepharoplasty
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We’ve all heard the saying that your eyes get worse as you get older. While this is true, since the lens inside of the eyes weakens with age, the eyes themselves are not the only thing that can impair your vision.
Sometimes, a loss in vision (or range of vision) is due to skin laxity on the upper eyelids.
What Causes Sagging Eyelids?
Severe eyelid drooping may hinder your vision and force you to tilt your head back to see more clearly. Since eyelid sagging happens over time, many people do not realize they are deliberately keeping their eyes open wider than usual or holding their head in odd positions. Recurring headaches, “tired” eyes, and dry eyes are symptoms of these habits and vision-impairing eyelid sagging.
Aging is the primary reason why eyelids start drooping since the levator muscle responsible for lifting eyelids loses its firmness as you age. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as obesity, nerve damage, or trauma, or those who smoke or spend too much time in the sun, are at a greater risk for premature eyelid sagging.
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) performed at Ghere Plastic Surgery can tighten drooping eyelids, enhance vision abilities, and give you a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
Can Blepharoplasty Improve Vision?
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that blepharoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries performed in the United States. Blepharoplasty involves the removal of small amounts of excess skin on the upper and/or lower eyelids. This outpatient surgery eliminates the hanging or drooping skin in the upper eyelid and reduces the appearance of bags and dark circles beneath the eyes.
While blepharoplasty does not improve the eyes’ ability to function, it can increase the opening of the eyes to provide a larger field of vision. For some patients, this improvement significantly betters their eyesight.
What Should You Know About Blepharoplasty?
Many blepharoplasty procedures take under an hour to complete. Depending on the severity of the drooping, a blepharoplasty can be done using local or general anesthesia. One or two tiny incisions are made within the natural creases of the eyelids, so any scarring is nearly invisible once incisions heal.
Some health insurance may cover a blepharoplasty if eyelid sagging is severe enough to block vision.
During your eyelid surgery recovery, your plastic surgeon will provide instructions about how to clean the eyelids properly, use prescribed ointments or drops, and apply ice packs to minimize swelling. You should avoid touching or rubbing your eyes for at least a week, and wear sunglasses to protect eyelids from wind and sunlight.
Avoid taking ibuprofen or aspirin for seven to 10 days to reduce bleeding risks. You can safely take TYLENOL® to relieve any discomfort. Most people recover fully from blepharoplasty within two to four weeks.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of blepharoplasty or how it can help you, contact Ghere Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation by calling our office at (225) 412-4774 or by filling out our online contact form.