Blepharoplasty (Lid Surgery)

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Who would benefit from lid surgery?

Patients with excessive skin in the upper lid may require surgery because:
– the lids feel heavy
– skin folds over the lid margin and affects vision
– cosmetically unacceptable due to fullness/bags/puffiness of lids  (due to fat prolapse) or folds of excessive skin

Lower lid surgery may be required because of cosmetically unacceptable (not provided by the NHS):
– bags under the eyes
– folds of skin

Most lid surgery is undertaken bilaterally to achieve better symmetry. The majority of patients have it done under local anaesthetic. Skin and occasionally prolapsed fat is removed. Removable stitches are used to close the wound and pressure bandages are applied for 30 minutes. These are then removed and ice packs are applied on a regular basis for 24 hours to reduce swelling/bruising. Stitches are removed two weeks later and the swelling tends to settle after 2 – 3 weeks. There will be a scar but this tends to blend in within the natural skin crease.

Possible complications:
– malposition of lid margin – very rare
– infection – very rare
– reduced vision due to intraorbital bleeding – extremely rare