How Does Eyelid Surgery Help?
You may not give much thought to your eyelids until you notice changes around your eyes that are often, but not always related to aging. Droopy eyelids or excess skin around your eyes can give you a rundown appearance that may make you feel less confident. Extra eyelid skin also can impair your vision. These problems can be corrected with eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty.
Advanced surgical procedures have been developed that greatly improve your appearance if you’re self-conscious about droopy or puffy eyelids. When it comes to your facial appearance and eyesight, it’s imperative that you work with a top cosmetic surgeon so you obtain the best possible results. Your best choice in New York City is Dr. David Shokrian at Millennial Plastic Surgery.
What Are the Functions of Eyelids?
Your eyelid structure is both delicate and complex. Both upper and lower eyelids serve a very important role in taking care of your eyes and your vision.
Different aspects of eyelid function include:
- Protecting against eye injury
- Protecting your eyes from bright lights
- Distributing tears over the surface of the eyelid to maintain lubrication
- Blocking visual input, allowing you to sleep
Without your eyelids, your eyes would be continually exposed to irritants, and they wouldn’t have any protection from drying out. Your eyelids and eyelashes work together to keep your eyes moist and free of dust and other particles that cause itchiness and irritation.
What Are the Parts of the Eyelid?
Eyelids are mainly made up of skin, underlying soft tissues and a thin layer of muscle.
When healthy, all the parts work together seamlessly to allow you to see clearly and without irritation. Individual parts of the eyelid include:
- Skin. The skin of your eyelids is extremely thin; in fact, it’s the thinnest skin in your body. It’s also highly elastic to allow for almost constant movement. This skin contains hair follicles and glands to regulate moisture.
- Subcutaneous tissue. Thin connective tissue lies under the skin of your eyelids.
- Muscles. The eyelids contain muscles that control movement such as blinking and winking, as well as opening and closing. The orbicularis oculi muscle is the largest muscle in the area. This muscle allows your eyes to be tightly shut.
- Tarsus. The tarsus is tough connective tissue that gives your eyelids shape and structure. It’s like tendons that attach to bones.
- Glands. The eyelid contains sebaceous glands, which are tiny organs that secrete lubricants. These lubricants prevent tears from evaporating and keep the eyes moist. Most tears come from the lacrimal glands located above each eyeball.
- Fat pads. Special fat pads serve as cushions between the skin and the eyeball. They also maintain the shape of your eyelids while offering protection for your eyeballs.
Each part of the eyelid plays a role in the health and functionality of your eyes, including how well you’re able to open and close your eyes. If your eyelids become damaged or aren’t functioning as well as they should, there are treatment options available, such as blepharoplasty.
What Are Some Problems Related to the Eyelids?
Eyelids can become infected, inflamed or develop other issues. For a variety of reasons, they may be itchy, puffy or swollen.
Some examples of problems related to the eyelids include:
- Drooping eyelids. Also known as ptosis, this is a condition in which the eyelid droops over the eye, which may block or limit normal vision. This is caused by weakening of the levator muscle, the muscle that lifts the eyelid.
- Blepharitis. Blepharitis is a medical condition that triggers itching and inflammation that affects either the outer or inner surface of the eyelid. This condition may cause crusty flakes to form on the outside of your eyelashes. It’s caused by bacteria found on the skin or by allergies, oily skin or mites.
- Stye or chalazion. A blocked oil gland can cause a painful bump to form on the eyelid called a stye. If the bump isn’t painful, it’s called a chalazion.
- Twitching or excessive blinking. Eyelid twitches are common and often go away in a matter of weeks. If it’s accompanied by swelling or difficulty opening the eye, see a medical professional right away.
Skin or fat can also gather under your eye, causing dark circles or bags underneath. If the area around your eyes is swollen or looks puffy, it may detract from your appearance, but problems with the eyelids aren’t always cosmetic. Eyelids need to stay healthy to protect the eyes and droopy eyelids can limit vision, especially peripheral vision.
How Does Aging Affect Eyelids?
The aging process causes changes all over your body, including your eyelids. The thin skin of the eyelids is almost constantly moving as you blink, so it’s not surprising that it often becomes less firm with age.
Some of the ways that aging affects eyelids include:
- Droopy eyelids. The upper eyelids begin to sag and may partially block your vision or make you look older than you are.
- Loose skin. Skin may loosen above or below your eyelids.
- Under-eye bags. Muscles in the lower lid weaken and leading to bags under your eyes.
- Puffiness. Fat and tissue that accumulate in or around your eyelids can give the eyes a swollen, puffy appearance.
Eyelid changes affect both men and women, but they can be corrected with eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure done to remove or tighten excess skin or fat if droopy eyelids or excess skin or fat around the eyes affects your vision or makes you self-conscious about your appearance. Different types of blepharoplasty procedures treat problems with the upper eyelid, lower eyelid or both.
To learn more about the benefits of blepharoplasty, contact Millennial Plastic Surgery, where you’ll find the top blepharoplasty surgeon in New York City: Dr. Shokrian. During your consultation, your eyelid surgery expert determines if you’re a good candidate for blepharoplasty or if a different procedure is right for you.