Blepharoplasty: A Simple Solution for Tired-Looking Eyes

Do you see droopy eyes looking back at you when you glance in the mirror? Do people keep asking if you’re tired because your eyes make you look worn out? If so, it might be time to take some action.

Blepharoplasty is a big word for a simple procedure that restores normal eyelid shape and function. At Frederick H Watkins, MD, we help patients look and feel revitalized with this procedure.

Here’s how it works.

What is blepharoplasty?

Like many other parts of your body, the skin on your upper and lower eyelids begins to lose elasticity, causing it to stretch and sag as you age. The tiny muscles that support your eyelids also start to weaken.

Combine these two things, and you get sagging skin and extra fat that pulls your eyelids down even farther.

Your drooping eyelids can cause an aesthetic effect, making you look older and more tired. They can also cause a medical concern if they begin to obstruct your vision, particularly your peripheral vision.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to address these issues. Dr. Watkins removes the excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue to tighten your eyelids, enhancing your appearance and improving your vision.

How does blepharoplasty work?

Dr. Watkins makes a small incision along the fold of your upper eyelid and/or just inside your lower eyelid. He removes excess skin, fat, or muscle, or in some cases, rearranges them before closing the incision. The procedure takes about an hour for an upper blepharoplasty and about two hours for both upper and lower.

The thin scars left by the incisions are hidden in the natural folds and creases of your eyelids, so no one will see them once the healing process is complete.

What should you expect from blepharoplasty?

You’re under anesthesia for the surgery; once the effects wear off, you’re free to return home. You may have some swelling and bruising for a few days afterwards. Cold compresses and antibiotic ointment can help reduce the swelling. 

You may also experience light sensitivity, watery eyes, and blurry or double vision, but these effects will be temporary. Most people are comfortable going out in public within 10-14 days after surgery.

Blepharoplasty won’t stop the aging process, but the results may last the rest of your life. It’s possible you could need to have your upper lids done again in many years, but the lower lid surgery usually only needs to be done once.

If you’d like to find out more about eyelid surgery, our team at Frederick H Watkins, MD, is here to help. To schedule an initial consultation, call our location nearest you — Rockville, Maryland, or McLean, Virginia. You can also use our online scheduling tool to request an appointment anytime.