Upper Eyelid Surgery / Upper Blepharoplasty

What is Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery, also known as upper blepharoplasty, refers to a surgical procedure involving the removal of excess skin and/or muscle system from the upper eyelid, which occurs due to the downward sagging of the eyebrow structure and the inclination towards the upper eyelid.

Aging, genetic, or environmental factors can lead to the formation of excess skin in the upper eyelids or the drooping of the eyebrows, resulting in the eyelids becoming heavier over time. Effective upper blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid lift surgery, which is effective in treating this condition that negatively affects a person's appearance and vision from an aesthetic and/or functional perspective, differs from brow lifting that raises the eyebrows. These procedures can sometimes be performed together.

Functional upper blepharoplasty, performed to reduce visual impairment due to skin sagging, involves reducing the upper eyelid to improve visual obstruction caused by excessive eyelid tissue. Aesthetic upper blepharoplasty, performed to reduce the appearance of aging, involves removing sagging skin tissue to achieve a younger appearance. If the upper eyelid is too close to the pupil due to weak eyelid muscle function and covers the pupil, this condition is called "Ptosis" and is treated with a different method (Ptosis Repair) to provide improvement. Ptosis surgery is designed to lift the eyelid and remove excess eyelid skin.

Who is Suitable for Upper Blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty is a surgery that can be performed on any healthy individual aged 30 and over.

Individuals with sagging eyelids due to aging,

Individuals with genetically sagging eyelids or droopy eyelids,

Individuals without serious eye conditions (Eyelid surgery cannot be performed on individuals with glaucoma or dry eye syndrome.)

Non-smokers or individuals willing to quit smoking,

Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals can undergo upper blepharoplasty.

How is Upper Blepharoplasty Performed?

Upper blepharoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia and takes approximately 1-2 hours on average.

Technically, upper blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess skin, fat tissue, and, in some cases, a small amount of muscle structure to define the fold of each eyelid to allow normal eyelid closure. For this purpose, an incision is made in the eyelid fold. This incision is minimally visible after healing and is not prominent as it is concealed within the fold.

Recovery Process After Upper Blepharoplasty Mild bruising or swelling around the eyes for 10 to 14 days after upper blepharoplasty is normal. Applying ice packs every hour for approximately 10 minutes for the first 24 hours after surgery and then 5-6 times a day in the following days will help reduce swelling and bruising.

The head should be kept in an upright position during sleep and rest, especially for the first 3-4 days, as it will help balance blood pressure.

Makeup should not be applied for 2-3 weeks after upper blepharoplasty, and contact lenses should not be used under any circumstances. There are no restrictions for individuals wearing glasses; glasses can be worn immediately.

To protect against the harmful rays of the sun after upper blepharoplasty, it is important to use dark-tinted sunglasses and sunscreen with a protective factor.

What Are the Complications of Upper Blepharoplasty?

Complications of upper blepharoplasty are relatively rare. The most important complication to consider is difficulty in closing the eyes due to excessive removal of upper eyelid skin. This can lead to chronic dry eye problems and risk of corneal injury. Therefore, conservative skin excision is recommended. Other complications include the development of eyelid ptosis due to injury to the levator muscles, asymmetrical eyelid disorders, or extremely rare blindness.