Eyes
DROOPING EYELIDS, BAGS UNDER THE EYES, ASIAN EYE CONTOUR
Blepharoplasty involves the tightening of the upper or lower eyelid.
A drooping eyelid may be congenital. Those affected may appear sad, tired and listless. The eyelid can even restrict the patient’s field of vision. A floppy lower eyelid can cause bags under the eyes as a result of age-related shifts in the fatty tissue and can create the impression of drowsy, puffy eyes.
An increasing number of people of East Asian origin would like their eyes to have a “Western” eye shape if they feel that they are victims of discrimination and/or if “Western” eye type is what they perceive to be beautiful.
PROCEDURE/FOLLOW-UP TREATMENT
In a procedure involving the tightening of the upper eyelid, the surgeon will make an incision along a fold in the eyelid so that the scar is barely visible. Thereafter, a laser is used to remove any fat and the incision is closed using a fine suture. The drooping eyelids will then be a thing of the past.
Younger people that do not have excess skin and who have their lower eyelid tightened will have an incision on the inside of the lower lid or at the bottom of the edge of the lid. In both cases, the scar is almost invisible. In the first few months after the procedure, it can easily be concealed with makeup.
The surgeon will create an artificial internal upper eyelid crease to align the Asian eye contour to match the ‘Western’ eye shape. If the patient wishes, the inner eyelid crease can be shortened to give the eye a new and more natural appearance.
Procedures on the eyelid are usually carried out under local anaesthetic and take about 45 minutes.
Patients should allow for plenty of rest and cool the eyes with compresses until the sutures are removed a week after the operation. Direct sunlight should be avoided in the first two months, as the scars may become discoloured if exposed to the sun. In the first two weeks, patients should avoid eye wearing makeup and contact lenses. Physical activity, which causes an increased flow of blood to the head, should be avoided for the first fortnight after the operation.
RISKS/SIDE EFFECTS
Following an eyelid tightening procedure, patients can expect slight swelling and discoloration around the eyes for about a week. The scars may appear slightly reddish for up to 4 months but can be easily concealed using suitable makeup. In very rare cases, the procedure may lead to wound infections and the appearance of scar tissue. The risk of any patient suffering visual impairment or blindness as a result of the procedure can be virtually ruled out. There is slight risk of too much skin being removed. In this case, the result can be corrected in a follow-up operation. Should you wish to have a general anaesthetic, please bear in mind that this entails some risks (cardiovascular problems, intolerance to medication, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting and post-surgical hoarseness).