Member Articles on Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery:

A person’s eyes are the first feature noticed when looking at another person. Your eyes may say you look tired or older when you actually feel fine and healthy. The eyes often are the first feature of the face that shows aging.

In the past eyelid surgery primarily consisted of removing skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. However as discussed in recent papers at the meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in May 2001, treatment of the eyelid area has changed in recent years and is much improved.

The lower lids often develop a hollow look with aging. This necessitates a shifting or transfers of the lower eyelid fat rather than simple removal, which would only increase the hollowness. Also the cheek pad can be elevated through the lower eyelid incision to further restore a youthful look to the lower eyelid and cheek area.

If excess fat is the only problem, this can be treated by a transconjuctival (on the inside of the eyelid) approach with no external scar. There are other ancillary procedures that may be added to correct an individual problem.

Treatment of the upper eyelid may be only the removal of excess skin and fat. However the problem may be complicated by ptosis (sagging) of the eyebrow with the lateral eyebrow skin adding to the upper eyelid problems. It may be necessary to do a brow lift only, or a brow lift and an upper eyelidplasty to correct the problem.

As you can see there is no single "Eyelid Operation" that is correct for all patients. A careful evaluation is necessary for each individual to correct their specific problem and find them best results from the surgery.

Your surgeon should be versed in many eyelid procedures and give you his advice after a careful examination and consultation. Remember, the proper Plastic Surgeon will give you the most improvement.