The upper eyelid correction: a specific surgical technique

Bij een correctie van de bovenoogleden wordt het huidoverschot dat voor functionele of esthetische klachten zorgt, operatief verwijderd. De medische term voor een upper eyelid surgery is een blefaroplastiek en het is één van de meest voorkomende poliklinische ingrepen onder volwassenen.

There are several reasons to consider upper eyelid surgery. Common complaints are headaches, feeling tired and visual field limitation. In addition, a tired look and cosmetic concern can also be excellent reasons for this procedure.

If you suffer from drooping eyebrows, ptosis (a 'lazy' eye), or ectropion (drooping lower eyelids), then upper eyelid surgery is less suitable.

The surgical technique- removing excess skin, muscle and fat

After the eyes have been carefully delineated and numbed, the excess skin of the upper eyelids can be removed. This can be done in several ways. The most common ways are with a knife or diathermy (a blowtorch that cuts). Some doctors remove only skin during blepharoplasty, while others also remove the underlying muscle (m. orbicularis). The advantage of removing the obicularis is that it also directly fixes the 'thickness' often seen in upper eyelids.

After removing the excess skin and muscle, we can better access the orbital septum and underlying orbital fat. If it was found during the consultation that you have thick eyes due to excess fat, it is advisable to remove it during surgery. This allows the upper eyelid to fall into a more natural crease and reduces thick upper eyelids.

Of course, it is extremely important that the attending physician knows whether the septum needs to be opened and whether there is protruding fat that needs to be removed or not. Furthermore, it is important that the removal of the fat is done correctly. Indeed, when removing too much fat in the wrong place, you may actually cause incidental eyes.

1: Excess skin, 2: excess muscle, 3: bulging fat

Closing the wound

The skin is closed using a continuous intracutaneous technique with a non-absorbable suture. Sterile suture plasters are then applied over the wound to support the suture and wound healing. This suture is removed in our clinic within 5-9 days after the procedure.

Post-surgery advice

• Good cooling of the operation area during the first 24-48 hours
• Avoid pressure-inducing activities (no bending, no sports, no heavy physical activity, no air travel, etc.) for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery
• Wearing sunglasses for several days is recommended to prevent pinching of the eyelids and protect from the sun
• It is important to contact us if there is fever, bleeding, pressure behind the eye or loss of vision. The clinic is available 24 hours a day in case of emergency.

Want to know more about the removal of skin, muscle and fat in an upper eyelid correction? Or would you like to know if this procedure is right for you? Feel free to schedule a no-obligation consultation for tailored advice.