Blepharoplasty can rejuvenate the eyelids by removing excess skin and fat, tightening lax eyelids and strengthening weak muscles. In the upper lids surgery can correct hooding, allowing a normal flat lid show (required to apply make-up). The upper and lower lids have fat pads that cushion the eye. These fat pads are held in place by fine tissues which weaken with age, allowing the fat to bulge forward. This can be corrected by removing, or redraping, fat to give a more youthful contour. With age the lower lids can also become lax, with a tendency to sit away from the eyeball. It is important to correct this laxity by tightening the lower lids to stabilise the position, and allow some removal of lower lid skin. Ageing can also result in the eyebrows sitting lower and the cheeks descending slightly. These factors can also be corrected at the time of blepharoplasty surgery, if required.The overall aim is to provide a natural, more youthful, appearance.
Excess upper lid skin (dermatochalasis) is treated by blepharoplasty surgery which involves an incision hidden in the natural skin crease. In the anaesthetic room, the amount of excess skin is carefully marked before the eyelids are numbed with local anaesthetic injections. In the operating theatre the face is thoroughly cleaned and draped ready for surgery. The excess skin is carefully removed. Prolapsing fat is removed, if required.
Correcting lower eyelid bags often requires horizontal tightening of the lid. Prolapsing fat is excised or redraped. Anchoring sutures are often used to raise the tissues below the outer corners of each eye. This is followed by cautious removal of excess lower lid skin.
Finally, the skin is closed with very fine stitches. The lid is covered with an eye pad which stays in place until the following morning. Post-operative medicines include antibiotic ointment to apply to the wound and lubricant gel for the eye. A follow-up appointment is made for approximately 2 weeks, when the stitches can be removed.
My Eye Clinic is conveniently located in Gosforth with easy parking and relaxed comfortable waiting areas with refreshments.
My Eye Clinic has two highly experienced consultant oculoplastic surgeons to provide expert assessment and treatment of eyelid problems..
My Eye Clinic can provide easy access to surgery with minimal waiting times.
My Eye Clinic has a new fully-equipped operating theatre staffed by specialist ophthalmic theatre nurses and supported by two consultant specialist ophthalmic anaesthetists.
Mr Meredith graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2010 after receiving several prizes and a distinction in Medicine and Surgery. After undertaking junior doctor training at Addenbrookes’ Hospital he completed seven years of post-graduate Ophthalmic Specialist Training on the south coast of England including one year of advanced specialist training in Oculoplastics in Portsmouth.
Mr Boyce is a Consultant Oculoplastic surgeon with a special interest in blepharoplasty, ptosis, entropion and ectropion surgery. He has been a Consultant Ophthalmologist, with special interest in Oculoplastic and Lacrimal Surgery, at Sunderland Eye Infirmary for 20 years. He now works exclusively in the private sector.
Inclusive prices include post-operative medicines and follow-up appointments:
The results of blepharoplasty surgery generally last up to 10 years but do not stop the natural ageing process. The appearance of eyelids can change in response to sun exposure, weight loss or gain, pregnancy or menopause.
Like any surgery there are some risks associated with blepharoplasty surgery. Some temporary swelling and bruising of the eyelids normally occurs. The eyelid skin can even appear lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
Rare problems following blepharoplasty surgery include bleeding, infection, scarring, delayed healing, pain, damage to deeper structures, asymmetry, ectropion, dry eye problems, corneal exposure problems, loss of eyelashes, changes in skin sensation, and skin contour irregularities.
Blindness following eyelid surgery is extremely rare (less than 1 in 20,000 cases).
