Blepharoplasty – Eyelid Surgery – The term “blepharoplasty” is derived from two Greek words: blepheron, “eyelid”, and plastein, “to sculpt”, hence its association with something done to one’s eyelid(s). As a branch of general plastic surgery, blepharoplasty is a procedure of remodeling the shape of one’s eyelid(s) after they sustain some trauma that impairs their function. One can also do the elective blepharoplasty for the sake of cosmetic purpose. For the latter reason, it is more common to occur within East Asian communities, whose eyelids are generally without crease to alter their shape so as to make them appear with crease. It’s this argument that prompts the experts to criticize the practice of altering the eyelids as it indicates unhealthy obsession over the physique of the Whites. Blepharoplasty practitioners, however, claim that most of their clients ask for the procedure without basing their request solely on this.
Controversy aside, blepharoplasty has two sides of function when being performed: Esthetic and physiological effect. The procedure can be done to both the upper and the lower eyelid or only one of them. Of those two lids, if there is some dysfunctions occur to the upper eyelid, then the procedure is strongly suggested by the surgeon because it will cause the sufferer to have his or her eyesight reduced to an extreme level, rendering them nearly unable to perform various basic activities. Further prolonged neglect may cause the sufferer to end up having the loss of peripheral vision.
Blepharoplasty – Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Image Credit: Buzzbbc.com
Incisions can be made along the natural line of the eyelid(s), or also called crease. The incision is applied to both the lower and upper lids. The creases will then help hide the scars resulting from the surgery. The incisions can also be started from conjunctiva; that is, the inner part of the lower eyelid. This happens mostly to those who undergo the transconjunctival blepharoplasty. Curiously, the aforesaid procedure does not allow for excess skin removal while the other type of such a surgery makes room for removal of fats from lower eyelid without leaving visible scars.
Eyelid Surgery Cost
The cost for eyelid surgery usually takes around $4,025, depending on the surgeon’s personal fee, medications involved in the surgery, or tests undertaken in advance of and after the operation.
Potential Risks of Eyelid Surgery
Image Credit: Verywellhealth.com
There are some potential risks to expect from blepharoplasty that one needs to be concerned of.
- Dry Eye Syndrome, in which the surface of the eyeballs turns somewhat dry due to interruption of lacrimal film.
- Palpebral skin laxity: The margin of lower eyelid becomes a bit loose, leading to eyelid malposition.
- Eyeball prominence: Eyeball somewhat protrudes from its socket.
