Blepharoplasty FAQs

Blepharoplasty is a Greek word that originates from “Blepharo”, which refers to the eyelids, and “plasty” referring to making changes. So, blepharoplasty literally means plastic surgery of the eyelids. Blepharoplasty can be further classified into upper eyelid and lower eyelid surgery. The surgery can be used for both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery procedures and is intended to reshape the upper or lower eyelid by removing or repositioning excess tissue and reinforcing the surroundings of the soft tissues.

In the upper eyelid, common changes which are a combination of facial ageing and genetics include hooding of the upper eyelid, skin laxity and fullness associated with orbital fat prolapsing forwards. Upper blepharoplasty involves trimming excess skin and shaping the underlying soft tissues, including the orbicularis oculi muscle and orbital fat. In all patients there is individual variation in facial ageing as a consequence of genetic, environmental and ethnic factors, Dr De Silva advises surgery should be tailored to the individual as the shape of the eyelids, contour and relative ageing are all unique. Non-surgical methods are not effective in re-shaping the upper eyelids.

Common changes in a person’s lower eyelids include bags under the eyes, swelling, skin laxity and wrinkles. Often, patients describe being questioned by friends, family and colleagues regarding tiredness and lack of sleep. The swelling and eye bags are caused by orbital fat coming forwards through the eyelid as a bulge. Although common in patients over thirty, Dr De Silva sees many patients who have changes in their late teens and twenties as a consequence of their genetics.

Lower blepharoplasty is usually a cosmetic procedure. It involves removing fat from around the lower portion of the eye, which generally causes bulges around the eyes as we age. The procedure can be performed from inside the eyelid, or possibly through a small incision in the skin just below the eyelash line. Dr De Silva uses the more advanced hidden incision technique to avoid visible scars in the eyelid. There is individual variation in facial ageing in all patients as mentioned above, and surgery should be tailored to each individual.