Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

London oculoplastic surgeon performs minimally invasive aesthetic procedures Eyelid surgery is known as blepharoplasty and is usually carried out by an oculoplastic surgeon who specialises in surgery to the eyelids and orbital sockets. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the eyelids by tightening the muscle tissue or removing excess fat and skin from the upper or lower eyelids.

Eyelids and ageing The skin of the eyelid is very thin and so is the first part of the face to show signs of ageing.

Gravity, stress, environmental factors and the ageing process make the skin all over the body sag downward, but it affects the eyelids first, making them sag downward and giving the face a tired or even sad or angry appearance.

Many people find the facial changes of ageing – particularly changes in the appearance of the eyes – upsetting. Indeed, it is upsetting to be misconstrued as being angry or sad all the time! With advances in surgical techniques, a facelift is no longer necessary to restore youthful eyes.

Minimally invasive cosmetic eyelid surgery Minimally invasive eyelid procedures, usually done on an outpatient basis, are an ever more popular way to refresh the face and regain an energetic, awake and youthful appearance. Specialist oculoplastic surgeons in London are finding requests for cosmetic eyelid surgery are increasing from both women and men in line with international trends.

Blepharoplasty may be recommended when the muscles and tissue that supports the eyelids weakens and allows eyelid fat to herniate forwards. This creates the impression and even sensation of heaviness over the eyes. It can be combined with a brow lift when the brow and forehead has

also begun to sag. Both a brow lift and cosmetic eyelid surgery are minimally invasive day procedures.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty Cosmetic surgery to the lower eyelid can treat under eye bags, drooping lower eyelids, excess skin, fine wrinkles and circles under the eyes. It is ideal for correcting puffy fat deposits under the eyes.

Three different methods can be used to lift the appearance of the lower eyelids, depending on how much excess skin and fat needs to be removed. There is no clearly visible scarring.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty In upper eyelid cosmetic surgery, an incision is typically made inside the natural crease of the eyelid. Once the incision is made, fat deposits are repositioned or removed, muscles and tissue are tightened, and excess skin is removed. After the procedure, the incisions are closed with fine sutures or tissue glue. As the incision is made in the natural crease, there is no clearly visible scarring.

Brow lift procedure There are two types of brow lift surgery: a coronal brow lift and an endoscopic brow lift. With a coronal brow lift, an incision is made with the hairline and the forehead skin is lifted, tissues released, muscles adjusted and the eyebrows lifted. Excess skin is trimmed off and the incision is closed with fine sutures or clips.

In an endoscopic brow lift, three to five short incisions are made behind the hairline. A narrow endoscope is inserted into one of the incisions to enable the surgeon to see beneath the skin without making the long incision in a traditional brow lift. The skin is lifted through the incisions and excess skin is trimmed, and the overlying skin is shifted to a tighter contour.

Planning cosmetic eyelid surgery in London A small number of London hospitals regularly perform cosmetic eyelid surgery. It is important to attend an initial consultation where you will discuss your medical history, undergo simple tests and discuss the goals and expectations for the surgery, as well as the procedure, anaesthesia and risks involved. Bringing along old photographs of younger years may assist in planning the surgery.

Recovering from surgery As the procedures are minimally invasive, they are usually conducted on an outpatient basis. There will be swelling and bruising which will subside after about two weeks, and continue to improve for up to a year after surgery. The positive results of cosmetic eyelid surgery are a more alert and youthful look and the majority of people are very satisfied with the outcome of their surgery.

About us: Dr Pari Shams is a full member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS), the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and the International Thyroid Eye Disease Society (ITEDS). She specialises in the treatments of conditions that affect the eyelids, brow, cheek, eye socket and tear duct system. She is based in London and consults at Harley Street Practice, Optegra Eye Hospital and Moorfields Private Eye Hospital. Dr Shams has been actively involved in clinical research over the last 15 years and has contributed to numerous peer reviewed publications in the field of oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital disease. She has presented her research at over 30 national and international conferences and has received numerous awards and prizes. Dr Shams practices as part of a large multidisciplinary team including dermatologists and maxillo-facial surgeons to deliver the highest quality of care, patient experience, outcomes and safety to all her patients. For more information, please visit: www.parishams.com