What to Expect from Eyelid Reduction Surgery? Blepharoplasty, eyelid reduction surgery, is a procedure that treats droopy eyelids. This is a plastic surgery procedure that removes skin, muscle and fat that cases the eyelid to droop. Eyelid reduction surgery is common for those looking for an effective anti ageing treatment. Sagging skin around the eyes is a natural ageing process, but some people find that it is bothersome, sometimes impacting vision. The surgery can also be performed on the lower lid and is common for those with bags under the eyes or sagging eyebrows. This is not always a cosmetic procedure. Those who find that their drooping eyelids are negatively effecting their vision, may consider eyelid reduction surgery, helping improve their sight, while making them look a litter younger, therefore blepharoplasty is a cosmetic or medical surgery, depending on how it is impacting your sight. Preparing for eyelid reduction surgery means meeting with an oculoplastic surgeon for an initial consultation, discussing your concerns and expected outcomes. Check the surgeons credentials and experience, along with their success record. There will be some tests that are carried out before the surgery, before pictures are taken to assist during the procedure. You will need to stop taking any medications that increase bleeding risk and stop smoking before the procedure. Eyelid reduction surgery is performed as a day case surgery, enabling the patient to recover in the comfort of their own home. It is usually done under local anaesthetic, but general anaesthetic is used in some people. The eyelid is numbed. The surgeon makes a small cut and removes any excess skin, muscle and fast. Some tissues may be moved to other eye areas before the incision is closed. If the patient is having lower lid surgery as well, another small incision is made and the fat is removed, eliminating bags under the eye. Sometimes some skin may be removed. The incision can be inside or outside the eye. Lower eyelids can be tightened to the bony skeleton. Recovery from eyelid reduction surgery is relatively quick. Right after the procedure you are moved to the recovery room, where you are monitored by experienced nursing staff for any complications and side effects. Once they are happy with your progress, you can return home. You will go home the
same day, unless there are serious complications, which may require an overnight stay in the hospital. After the surgery, it is imperative that you rest for a few days. It is not uncommon to experience some pain and swelling. You may be advised to take ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain. You will probably also be advised to use ice packs for a few days to help with the swelling. Short term effects include blurred vision and light sensitivity, which should not last longer than one to two days. It's advisable to wear sunglasses when outdoors, protecting your eyes. Anyone wearing contact lenses will not be able to wear them for two weeks post surgery, ensure you have a pair of prescription glasses at hand. Your eyes can remain uncovered after the surgery and you will be required to gently wash the area, keeping it clean. You usually return to the eyelid reduction surgeon after a week or two to ensure you are healing properly and have any stitches removed. All surgeries come with some risks, the risk associated with eyelid reduction surgery includes dry eyes, itching around the eye, scaring, blurred vision and the inability to close your eyes. About Us: Pari Shams, BSc MRCP FRCOphth, is a cosmetic and functional eyelid surgeon that operates from Moorfields Eye Hospital in the heart of London. She is a very well established consultant ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon. She graduated with distractions in medical, surgery, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. She is known for her eyelid lacrimal and orbital disease treatments and is a member of the Royal College of Physicians in London, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, the American Society of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery and the International Thyroid Eye Disease Society. In addition to this, the is also active in clinical research. To find out more about Pari Shams, visit her website at http://www.parishams.com.