Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove fat deposits or loose skin on the eyelids.In addition to improving appearance, this surgery can also improve vision that is blocked by the eyelids.
As we age, the skin of the eyelids loses its elasticity. This causes the upper and lower eyelids to sag. Apart from age, sagging eyelid skin can also be influenced by heredity. Not only disturbing appearance, this condition can also block the view.
To repair sagging eyelid skin and remove eye bags, eyelid surgery can be performed. In addition, there are several medical conditions that may also require eyelid surgery, including:
- Injuries to the eyelids
- Eyelid disorders
- Eyelash problems, such as trichiasis, entropion, and ectropion
- Ptosis
- Grave's Disease
Things to Pay Attention to Before Undergoing Eyelid Surgery
Before undergoing eyelid surgery, there are several things that must be done, namely:
1. Consult your health condition
Consult a doctor if you have a history of certain diseases and health problems, such as allergies, dry eyes, glaucoma, or diabetes. Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal remedies.
2. Do a complete eye exam
The physical examination of the eye includes tear production tests, vision tests, and eyelid measurements. In addition, the eyelids will also be photographed from various sides to help plan surgery and assess the risks that may occur.
3. Stop smoking
If you are an active smoker, stop smoking a few weeks before eyelid surgery. This is important to speed up the wound healing process.
4. Stop taking certain drugs
For 14 days before and after eyelid surgery, you are required to stop taking certain medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or herbal remedies, because they can cause heavy bleeding and bruising.
5. Prepare for extra fees
Eyelid surgery for aesthetic reasons is usually not covered by health insurance or BPJS. Therefore, you should provide extra funds for eyelid surgery and follow-up operations to enhance the appearance of the eyelids, if needed.
However, if the purpose of eyelid surgery is for health problems, there are several insurances that provide plastic surgery facilities to the insured.
Eyelid Surgery Process
Prior to eyelid surgery, the surgeon will perform anesthesia or local anesthetic in the area around the eye. However, eyelid surgery generally uses general anesthesia.
The process of eyelid surgery varies, depending on the type of complaint and the desired end result. The following are several types of eyelid surgery based on their purpose:
Surgery to enlarge the eyelids
To make the eye look bigger, the surgeon will make an incision following the crease line of the eye. Through these incisions, the doctor will cut and remove some of the skin, muscle, and fat from the eyelids.
Thus, the eyes will look bigger. Next, the area that has been cut will be closed with stitches.
Surgery to remove sagging skin around the eyes
To remove sagging skin on the lower eyelid or eye bags, the doctor will make an invisible incision inside the lower eyelid. Next, the doctor will use a carbon dioxide (CO) laser2) and erbium laser to reduce fine lines on the eyelids.
If you want to repair loose skin tissue on the upper and lower eyelids at the same time, the doctor will work on the top first.
Eyelid surgery generally lasts 1-2 hours, depending on the type and purpose of the operation and the number of parts of the eyelid that will be treated.
In addition, there are several risks that can occur after eyelid surgery, including:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Dry or irritated eyes
- It's hard to close the eyes
- Scar tissue forms around the eyes
- Eye muscle injury
- Eyelid discoloration
- Temporary or permanent vision loss, although this is rare
Therefore, it is important to always take good care of postoperative wounds so that the recovery process can take place quickly and smoothly.
Tips for Going through the Recovery Process After Eyelid Surgery
After the operation, you will experience pain in the eyelids. In addition, you can also experience swelling and bruising in the eye area, watery eyes, blurred vision, and eyes sensitive to light.
Usually, the condition of discomfort in the eyelids will occur for 1-2 weeks. After that, you can see and function normally again.
To manage pain and help with the recovery process, you can do the following:
- Compress the eye using a cold towel to reduce swelling.
- Gently clean the eyelids, then apply the prescribed eye drops or ointment.
- Use sunglasses to protect the skin of the eyelids from the sun, dust, and wind.
- Sleep with your head higher than your chest for a few days.
- Avoid doing certain activities, such as lifting heavy objects, straining, rubbing, smoking, or wearing contact lenses.
- Also avoid strenuous exercise, such as swimming, aerobics, and jogging.
- Avoid taking drugs without consulting a doctor.
Eyelid surgery can indeed help you look younger. However, you should also understand the process and its risks before deciding to undergo this surgery. Therefore, consult a doctor to get an explanation and the best course of action for your eyelid condition.
