How Blepharoplasty Can Improve Your Vision

As you age, the skin on your face loses elasticity. This can cause sagging eyelids, excess fat and tissue, and baggy skin above and below the eye. If left untreated, sagging skin can obstruct your view, making everyday activities more challenging.

A blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that can improve your appearance and help you maintain your vision. Many individuals with excess skin or droop upper eyelids struggle to see clearly. This innovative treatment can improve your vision while helping you achieve a younger, more awake appearance.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of this safe and effective procedure so you can decide if it’s right for you. Here’s everything you need to know:

How Drooping Eyelids Can Affect Your Vision

Even though blepharoplasty is typically seen as a cosmetic procedure, this surgery can also help improve a patient’s peripheral and upper vision. The excess skin on the upper eyelids can weigh down the eyelid, causing obstructions in vision, making everyday tasks more challenging and straining for your eyes. If left untreated, the skin will continue to drop, interfering with everyday life tasks or activities.

Individuals with dropping or sagging upper eye skin may need to look up when trying to see something from eye level. This can make everyday tasks more challenging and dangerous when driving or operating a motor vehicle.

Hooded or droopy eyelids can also lead to tunnel vision. Tunnel vision occurs when you find it hard to see objects in front of you. The objects may also appear smaller than they actually are. This can make everyday tasks like reading, driving, or riding a bike more challenging. Baggy skin under the eyes can also impact your lower field of vision. It can also make your eyelids look and feel heavier.

Excess skin on the lower or upper eyelids is typically caused by aging or genetics. But it can also be a direct result of sun damage.

How Blepharoplasty Improves Vision

During a blepharoplasty, a plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and fat above or under the eye. This typically requires a small incision across the natural crease of your eyes. Once the skin is removed, the surgeon will then stitch the two pieces of skin back together. This process will eliminate excess skin, fat, or muscles, making it easier to see and keep your eyes open.

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can help improve peripheral vision, while a lower eyelid blepharoplasty can help improve the lower field of vision. Both procedures can help eliminate excess skin and depuff the eye area. During your consultation, a plastic surgeon will discuss the benefits of both options and decide which option is right for you.

When is Blepharoplasty Medically Necessary?

If droopy eyelids, wrinkles, or sagging skin is starting to impact your appearance or your vision, consider scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your treatment options. When left untreated, the muscles in the upper eyelid will weaken. This can lead to pain and discomfort, headaches, and obstructed vision. For many patients, insurance may also cover a portion of the procedure if they find it’s deemed medically necessary.

It’s best to consult with a plastic surgeon before your symptoms worsen. If you wait too long, you may need a ptosis correction. This procedure is suggested for patients with severe drooping eyelids. During the procedure, the muscles in the upper eyelid are physically lifted.

Is Blepharoplasty Right for You?

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will decide if you are the best candidate for the treatment. The best candidate for vision-correcting blepharoplasty usually has:

• Excessive upper eyelid skin
• Sagging skin that causes you to raise your eyebrows to see better
• Eyelid fatigue or heaviness
• Ongoing eye strain and discomfort
• Weak upper eyelid muscles
• Puffy under eyes that are causing physical blockages

Candidates also need to be in good health and be non-smokers. It’s also important that you prioritize a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated, especially during the recovery phase. During your consultation, a plastic surgeon will offer expert advice and set realistic expectations for your procedure. An eye exam may also be necessary to determine if a blepharoplasty is needed for vision-correcting.

It’s important to note that if you want to correct fine lines and wrinkles, you may consider a less invasive option like injectables or fillers. Depending on your goals, a brow lift may be a more suitable cosmetic treatment.

Schedule a consultation today to learn more about procedures and treatment plans offered by Toronto Plastic Surgery.

What to Expect During the Procedure and Recovery

A blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive surgery that offers long-lasting, vision-correcting results for patients. The procedure and treatment are relatively quick and don’t require tons of downtime for recovery. Here’s what you can expect during the procedure timeline:

Consultation

During the consultation, a plastic surgeon will decide what treatment will deliver the best results. If the plastic surgeon decides that the procedure is needed for cosmetic reasons and not vision-correcting, they may recommend a brow lift instead. The best treatment plan will be determined during the consultation, depending on the patient’s goals and desired outcomes.

After the consultation, a plastic surgeon will prepare you for the procedure and recovery process, to ensure you have enough downtime to fully heal.

Procedure

During the procedure, your plastic surgeon will remove any excess fat and skin above the upper eyelid. They will make an incision near your natural crease to avoid noticeable scarring. Patients are also placed under local anesthesia.

During an upper blepharoplasty, the tissue is removed from the upper eyelid. During a lower blepharoplasty, the excess fat or skin is removed under the eye. Regardless of which treatment you have done, the procedure itself is relatively quick. After the procedure, patients can return home to begin the recovery process.

Recovery

Immediately after the procedure, you may experience swelling, pain, and bruising near the eyes. This is normal and should subside in a few weeks. Most people can return to everyday activities in just one to two weeks. However, you may be required to wear sunglasses with dark lenses when you’re outside or in the sun for the first few weeks. You’ll also need to avoid touching your eyes and avoid skincare products that contain hard ingredients. The final results will be noticeable in four months. The results are long-lasting and should last around seven years.

Wrapping Up

Lower or upper eyelid surgery is an innovative procedure that offers long-lasting cosmetic and vision-correcting benefits for patients. If sagging or drooping skin around the eyes impacts your vision and self-esteem, it’s time to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Our team is here to offer expert advice and guidance for a vision-correcting blepharoplasty.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.