Blepharoplasty in West Chester, Kennett Square and Paoli, PA

Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the eyelids by tightening muscles and tissue or removing excess fat and skin. A lower eyelid blepharoplasty is used to treat the following:

• Under-eye bags
• Drooping lower eyelids
• Excess skin
• Fine wrinkles

A lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed on adult men and women alike and offers a younger, more refreshed look that reflects the whole face.
Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedures. The popularity of this procedure reflects the importance of the eyes in perfecting overall appearance. If the appearance of the eyes causes a patient to be unhappy, they may want to consider lower eyelid blepharoplasty to improve their look and boost their confidence through a safe procedure with minimal downtime.

The best candidates for lower eyelid blepharoplasty are those individuals who meet the following conditions:

• Are in good overall health
• Do not smoke
• Do not have any serious eye conditions
• Have healthy facial tissue and muscle

If a patient has loose, sagging skin or puffy bags under their eyes, this procedure can help reduce these unwanted effects and leave the eyes looking young and fresh.

It is important for patients to have realistic expectations before undergoing a lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedure in order to be satisfied with their results. While the procedure can enhance their appearance and may improve self-confidence as a result, it cannot alter a patient’s entire appearance or change the structure of their face.

What Can Blepharoplasty Achieve?

A blepharoplasty is ideal for correction of the following:

• Loose, sagging and/or folded upper eyelids that may interfere with vision
• Puffy fat deposits in the eyelids
• Undereye bags
• Sagging lower eyelids that may show the whites of the eyes below the irises
• Excess skin in the lower eyelids
• Fine wrinkles in the lower eyelids. A blepharoplasty cannot raise the eyebrows, or treat deep wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, or crow’s feet.

Transconjunctival Lower Lid Blepharoplasty

Often chosen when no skin needs to be removed, a transconjunctival lower lid blepharoplasty creates an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar or other evidence of the surgery.

Transcutaneous Lower Lid Blepharoplasty

A transcutaneous lower lid blepharoplasty is performed with a subciliary incision, also known as a pinch technique, to remove protruding fat and excess skin.

After the lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedure, the surgeon may recommend applying lubricating drops or ointment and cold compresses to aid in the healing process and minimize side effects such as:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Irritation
• Dry eyes

The eyes may be wrapped in gauze after the procedure as well. Patients can usually return to work within a few days but should avoid exercise and strenuous activities for at least two weeks. Stitches are usually removed three or four days after the procedure. Swelling and other side effects usually subside within two weeks after surgery. Contact lenses and eyelid make-up may not be worn for two weeks after surgery. The surgeon will give specific instructions on how to care for the eyes post-procedure.

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Blurry vision

• Malposition of the eye
• Bleeding
• Infection

• Dry eyes
• Skin discoloration
• An inability to fully close the eyes

• MedlinePlus
• National Institutes of Health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine