Eye area – Do you look tired or want to optimize your vision?
Eyelid surgery and eyebrow lift
What are your options with us?
There are several reasons why people are bothered by the eye area. By far the most common condition is Heavy Eyelids (Blepharochalasis)/overhanging skin on the upper eyelids, which with surgery affects both women and men of all ages but typically from the age of 30. Many have functional complaints and are bothered by feelings of fatigue, lack of vision/peripheral vision and not being able to apply make-up as they wish. Others just think they look tired and are bothered by the overhanging skin. Eyebrow drooping can also be the cause of heavy eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery (so-called blepharoplasty) removes the overhanging skin, thereby eliminating the feeling of ‘heavy’ eyelids and fatigue as well as any lack of vision/side vision.
Other issues can be cosmetic related to lower eyelids or functional issues such as ptosis or ectropion.
Upper eyelid surgery / Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery can refresh puffy, droopy or tired eyes by removing excess skin and any fat from the retro-orbital fat depot, which is the cause of puffy, tired eyes for some. The surgery aims to restore a fresh, open and youthful appearance. If you have a lot of excess skin, the surgery will reduce fatigue and improve vision by removing the excess skin on the eyelid out of the field of vision.
The eyelids are among the most delicate structures of the face, consisting of fine layers of soft tissue and the thinnest skin in the human body. The eyelid skin is less than 1 mm thick with sparse underlying subcutaneous fat, which predisposes to the characteristic skin laxity and fine wrinkles that appear with age.
Correction of Ptosis / Droopy upper eyelids
Eyelid ptosis is a medical condition where the upper eyelid droops downwards and covers part of the eye. This can result in a reduced field of vision and cause a
Tired or sleepy appearance. The condition typically occurs due to weakening or damage to the muscles responsible for lifting the eyelids.
Correction of eyelid ptosis is a surgical procedure performed by a ptosis surgeon and can be done in conjunction with an upper blepharoplasty. During this operation
tightens or repairs the weakened or damaged muscles that lift the eyelids. This can be done by removing excess tissue,
tightening the muscles or by placing small sutures to help lift the eyelids into a more upright position.
The aim of the surgery is to restore the normal position of the eyelids and improve the patient’s visual field and cosmetic appearance.
After surgery, there may be a period of swelling and soreness, but these symptoms usually disappear after some time.
Each patient is unique and the treatment approach can vary depending on the severity of the condition and individual needs.
Lower eyelid surgery / Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the lower eyelid and surrounding area. This surgery can help reduce signs of aging, such as bags under the eyes, excess skin and wrinkles.
During lower blepharoplasty, the surgeon typically makes an incision (cut) along the lower eyelash line or the inside of the eye socket. This allows access to the underlying tissue to be treated. Depending on the individual patient’s needs, different techniques can be used.
There are generally two primary focus areas for lower blepharoplasty:
* Removal of excess skin / with or without fat: If there is excess skin under the eye, the surgeon may remove it with a sc. Pinch (skin only) Blepharoplasty to create a smoother and more youthful appearance. If there are excess/protruding fat pads, it may be necessary to reposition or in rare cases remove fat pads while tightening the skin.
*Treatment of bags under the eyes: If there are bags or puffiness under the eye, the surgeon can either remove or reposition the excess fat to create a smoother transition between the eye and cheek. This can give a more refreshed look.
After surgery, there may be a period of swelling, bruising and discomfort, but these symptoms will usually subside within a few weeks. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding aftercare and the use of any medication or eye drops.
Ectropion / Outward-facing eyelid
Ectropion is a condition where the lower eyelid turns outwards and away from the eye. This can lead to problems such as tearing, dryness of the eye, irritation, redness and in some cases ulcers on the surface of the eye. Surgical treatment of ectropion may be necessary if conservative methods have not been effective or if the condition is severe.
Surgical indications for ectropion include:
- Persistent or severe symptoms:
If the patient experiences persistent tearing, dryness, irritation or eye infections due to ectropion, surgery may be indicated. - Eye ulcers:
If ectropion has caused ulcers on the surface of the eye (cornea), which can be painful and cause further complications,
surgery is needed to correct the condition and protect the eye. - Functional and cosmetic concern:
If ectropion causes significant aesthetic deterioration of the eye and face, as well as impaired eyelid function and eye closure, surgery may be desirable to restore a more normal appearance and preserve the protective functions of the eye.The treatment of ectropion depends on the underlying cause, the severity of the condition and the patient’s individual circumstances.
There are several surgical techniques that can be used:
- Lateral tarsal tightening:
This is the most common procedure for treating ectropion. During surgery, the weakened muscles and tissues of the eyelid are tightened and repaired. This helps restore the normal position of the eyelid and improve its function. - Conjunctival grafts:
In some cases, tissue transplantation from the mucous membrane of the eye (conjunctiva) can be used. This tissue is used to lengthen the eyelid and bring it back to a normal position. - Canthopexy or canthoplasty:
These are techniques where the outer edge of the eyelid is tightened and attached to the orbital rim, restoring the ‘natural’ shape. This helps restore the strength and function of the eyelids.
After surgery, the patient will experience a period of swelling, bruising and discomfort that will gradually disappear. It is important to follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions carefully, including using eye drops, avoiding rubbing the eye and avoiding strenuous activities for a certain period of time
Eyebrow lift
- Temporary eyebrow lift with botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin injections into the forehead muscles will relax the muscles in the forehead, the muscles responsible for the formation of wrinkles/lines in the forehead. These muscle relaxing injections around the outer part of the orbicularis oculi muscle will result in a slight compensatory elevation of the eyebrow line of approximately 3-4 mm. Many patients find these mild and temporary improvements satisfying. - Eyebrow lift from the upper eyelid (transpalpebral)
For patients who also need upper eyelid surgery, it is possible to make minor adjustments to the eyebrow placement as an additional procedure. - Transcutaneous eyebrow lift (‘Ceravolo’ lift)
Often, the middle part of the eyebrow is still positioned correctly but the outer part is horizontal all the way down below the orbital rim. The characteristic ‘swallow shape’ that characterizes a youthful appearance is replaced with a flat crescent shape. To recreate this, you can perform a transcutaneous eyebrow lift with a very gentle technique that masks the scar at the edge of the eyebrow with a special technique that, if it heals properly, results in virtually invisible scars after about 4-6 weeks. The scar quickly becomes less visible and disappears over time while maintaining the fresh, lifted shape of the eyebrow