Upper eyelid surgery – also known as blepharoplasty – is performed to improve peripheral vision as well as for cosmetic reasons. When there is an advanced amount of upper eyelid skin, it may hang over the eyelashes and cause loss of peripheral vision. The outer and upper parts of the visual field are most commonly affected, and the condition may cause difficulty with activities such as driving or reading. Lower eyelid surgery is often done for cosmetic reasons to improve puffy lower eyelid "bags" and reduce the wrinkling of skin. The intention is to lift and reshape the upper or lower eyelid by the removal and/or repositioning of excess tissue as well as reinforcement of surrounding muscles and tendons.
Eyelid surgery and eyelid lifts are performed through external incisions made along the natural skin lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids, or from the inside surface of the lower eyelid. Initial swelling and bruising take one to two weeks to resolve, but at least several months are needed until the final result becomes stable. Depending upon the scope of the procedure, the operation typically takes about one and a half hours to perform. The anatomy of the upper/lower eyelids, patients’ skin quality, patients’ age, and the adjacent bony and soft tissue all affect the cosmetic and functional outcomes after blepharoplasty.
You will experience some swelling and bruising after your surgery, and this is part of the normal healing process. Swelling often subsides after 1-2 weeks and regular activity can often be resumed after a few days of icing, with more aggressive exercise programs resuming after 2-3 weeks. Post operative stitches are typically removed in our office after the first week. There is usually minimal discomfort following the surgery. Extra Strength Tylenol is recommended only on an as needed basis.
Eyelid surgery reshapes your upper or lower eyelids by removing or repositioning the excess tissue as well as reinforcing the surrounding muscles and tendons. This eyelid lift reduces puffy lower eyelid bags and decreases the wrinkling of the surrounding skin.
As we get older, our muscles tend to get weaker and our skin doesn’t have the same resiliency it once had. A common area for this to manifest is around our eyes. Heavy or droopy eyelids may make you appear older because your eyes appear more tired and the skin on your lids has become lax and begins to droop down. You might notice this while you’re putting on your makeup, or it might be something you notice when you see a picture of yourself.Dr. Baker uses a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty which can be can be both functional and / or cosmetic. In functional blepharoplasty, excess skin and / or fat is removed to clear the visual axis. Cosmetic blepharoplasty takes this procedure a step further with meticulous sculpting of tissues and attention to aesthetic details to make your eyelids look their best. External incisions are made along the natural creases of your eyelids; on your upper lid crease or below your lower lash line, or on the inside surface of your lower eyelid. The procedure usually takes about 60 – 90 minutes, and we will use a local anesthetic with a mild sedative. If needed, Dr. Baker may trim or tighten your eyelid muscles.
302-1625 Oak Bay Ave.
Victoria, BC, Canada V8R 1B1
Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
