Eyelid Surgery

 

The eyelids are important structures that serve to protect and lubricate the eyes. Their improper function or position can lead to a variety of other problems.

 

Droopy Eyelids – Ptosis and Dermatochalasis

 

Normally the edge of the upper eyelid rests near the top of the iris, or colored part of the eye. As you age, the eyelid can start to drop down, making you appear sleepy or tired. This condition is called ptosis. In some cases, the eyelid may even drop down to cover the pupil and block the vision. Ptosis related to aging occurs because the muscle that raises and lowers the eyelid becomes weakened and slips from its normal position. Some people compensate for this unknowingly by raising the eyebrows to lift the eyelids higher. If you have forehead wrinkles from constantly raising your eyebrows, you may have a problem with ptosis.

 

Another reason that eyelids may droop is excessive eyelid skin weighing them down. This is called dermatochalasis. As we get older, the eyelid skin continues to grow, and in some people, there is so much extra skin that it blocks the vision. If this is happening to you, a surgery to remove the excess skin and fat usually solves the problem.

 

Drooping Eyebrows – Brow ptosis

 

Just as eyelids can droop, so can eyebrows, causing you to have an angry or depressed appearance. Heavy eyebrows can also push down on the eyelids, making it difficult for you to open them. This is called brow ptosis and is more common in men. Surgery can lift the brows back into place.

 

Sagging eyelids – Lagophthalmos and Ectropion/Entropion

 

The lower eyelid normally sits at the bottom edge of the iris. However, with time the lower lid can become loose and floppy, causing it to sag down. When this happens, the eyelids may not close completely, especially when sleeping. This condition is called lagophthalmos. Lagophthalmos can cause the eye to dry out at night and cause redness and irritation when you wake up in the morning.

 

The loss of eyelid tone with age can cause the edge of the eyelid to flip outwards, a condition called ectropion. Outward sagging lower eyelids can cause and ineffective blink, pooling of tears, fluctuating vision, and chronic infections. In other cases, the eyelid can flip inwards, causing the eyelashes to rub on the eye. This condition is called entropion. Entropion can cause significant irritation and may even cause severe scratches and infections of the cornea. Again, surgery can reposition the eyelids and correct the situation.

 

Eye wrinkles

 

Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, often called “crow’s feet” become more prominent as we age, as the skin becomes thinner, looser, and less elastic. Exposure to sunlight will accelerate the development and appearance of wrinkles. The wrinkles are most noticeable when you smile or squint, because the muscles around the eyes contract, and this causes the folds in the skin to appear.

 

If the wrinkles are small to moderate, Botox® can be an effective treatment. Botox® is the brand name for botulinum toxin which is derived from bacteria. This substance causes paralysis of muscles, preventing them from contracting. When injected around the eyes, this relaxes the muscles and produces less skin wrinkling.

 

For deeper wrinkles, sometimes Botox isn’t enough to make them disappear completely. If this is the case, it is possible to fill in the wrinkles with Restylane. Restylane is a synthetically produced gel composed of molecules that occur naturally in the body. It has a consistency very similar to the deeper layers of the skin. When injected into wrinkles, it fills in the lines and smooths out the skin.

 

 

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