Eyelid Surgery Archives

December 6, 2017

New Clinical Study Says Blunt Needle Anesthetic Injection for Blepharoplasty Could Reduce Postoperative Hematoma and Pain

Facelift NYC was one of the top cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2016, with eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty also being among the commonly performed procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), eyelid surgery occupies the top fourth position because 209,000 procedures were performed in 2016. The treatment improves the signs of aging around the eyes and helps you achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing facial appearance. The Aesthetic Channel recently highlighted a clinical study in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery that discusses the use of blunt-needle anesthetic injection to reduce postoperative bruising, hematoma and pain when performing NYC Blepharoplasty.

The signs of aging first appear in the eye area and affects the overall appearance of the face. Droopy eyes negatively impact yours looks and in some cases, the bags under the eyes or wrinkled folds of skin on the upper eyelids can also obstruct your vision. Blepharoplasty helps to repair droopy eyelids and may involve removing excess skin, muscle and fat. The study is about the new technique of anesthetic injection used in this procedure. The use of simple, yet objective, technique of using blunt-needle anesthetic injection for reducing postoperative bruising, hematoma and pain when performing upper blepharoplasty has been validated in this study.

Typically,a sharp needle is used to administer local anesthesia, which lacks the benefits of a blunt needle. The study was done in an academic medical setting where 44 patients underwent bilateral upper blepharoplasty. Patients were randomized to receive local anesthesia injections (lidocaine, 2%; 27-gauge needle) with a blunt needle in one eyelid and a sharp needle in the other eyelid.

To assess pain in both eyelids, a visual analog scale was used and it was clear that blunt needle has improved safety compared to a sharp needle. Complications resulting from hematoma and interventional pain procedures were less while using these blunt needles; that is, bruise/hematoma occurred at the sharp-needle injection site in 25% of patients versus 0 patients at the blunt-needle site.

The study concludes that for a more accurate surgical procedure and faster recovery, a blunt needle may be a preferable choice as it results in fewer complications and provides more accurate and refined work, with faster patient recovery.

This procedure is not just undergone by women but men too, as it offers both cosmetic and functional benefits. Surgeons performed over 28,000 procedures on men in 2016 where the surgery’s primary benefits are the removal of bags from under the eyes and fewer fine lines, which in turn, helps people look younger. At the same time, it can lift drooping eyelids that interfere with vision.

Find an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice that can offer you the service of an experienced and skilled cosmetic surgeon in New York City who can perform blepharoplasty in the safest and most effective way. A well-trained surgeon will first conduct a detailed evaluation to identify the conditions that need to be addressed. These may include low brow position, drooping brows, excessive eyelid skin, muscle, and fat, upper eyelid droop, and lower eyelid retraction and slackness. Based on the relationship of these conditions to each other as well as to the other structures of the face, they would recommend the most appropriate surgical procedure that suits you.

September 16, 2015

Eyelid Surgery the Top Cosmetic Surgical Procedure in 2014, reveals ISAPS Survey

Recently published results of a survey by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) reveal that more than 20 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed worldwide in 2014. The report shows that eyelid surgery ranks first in the list of top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed last year. The procedure rose in popularity from being the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure internationally in 2013.

A total of 1,391 plastic surgeons from different parts of the world responded to the ISAPS questionnaire. In the country-wise distribution of the eyelid procedures performed in 2014, Brazil leads followed by Japan and the USA.

Other information on eyelid surgery revealed by this international survey of plastic surgeons:

Eyelid surgery involves removing excess skin, muscle and sometimes fat from the upper and lower eyelids, thereby rejuvenating the eyes and providing a more youthful looking facial appearance. The procedure can resolve a number of conditions such as puffiness or bags under eyes, sagging or loose skin that creates folds on the upper eyelid, excess skin and wrinkles on the lower eyelid, droopiness of lower eyelids and excess fatty deposits on the upper eyelid. An eyelid lift may be done as a standalone procedure or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as face lift surgery and brow lift surgery.

August 7, 2015

Study Finds Increased Risk of Drooping Upper Eyelids among Contact Lens Users

Drooping Upper Eyelids Many people prefer to wear contact lenses rather than glasses as it helps them look the way they want and enjoy freedom of movement. Contact lenses are a healthy, comfortable and convenient vision correction option when handled carefully. However, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that a recent study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal reveals that wearing contact lenses increases the risk of drooping upper eyelids.

The research found that both hard and soft contact lenses may contribute to ptosis, (the medical term for drooping upper eyelids). The study was conducted on twins who wore soft contact lenses, hard ones and those who did not wear contact lenses. The researchers analyzed 96 sets of identical twins with differing severity of drooping eyelids. They looked for an association between drooping eyelids and factors such as body mass index (BMI), sun exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption, sleep and work-related stress were studied. None of these factors were seen to have a notable impact on drooping eyelids.

The study found that:

Twins who wore hard contact lenses had the greatest severity of the drooping eyelids with mean ptosis measurement of 1.84 mm
Twins who wore soft lenses had less severity of the drooping eyelids with mean ptosis measurement of 1.41 mm
Twins who did not wear contact lenses had a mean ptosis measurement of 1.00 mm

According to the lead surgeon, such small differences are significant when it comes to the eyelids and plastic surgeons who specialize eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) confirm that even a ½ millimeter can make a big difference when it comes to vision and overall appearance.

Wearing contact lenses was found to be the only external factor that was linked to ptosis, and the lead surgeon involved in the study said that that their research attributes this to “the recurrent traction of the eyelid during placement and removal of the lens”.

May 18, 2015

Eyelid Surgery Resolves Vision Problems Caused By Excess Skin

Eyelid Surgery Resolves Vision Problems Men and women usually have eyelid surgery for cosmetic reasons. However, the procedure also resolves sagging upper eyelids which mar vision, allowing the patient to see well.

How an Eyelift Improves Vision

Ageing makes your eyelids stretch and the supportive muscles become weaker. Fat may collect above and below your eyelids, resulting in droopy upper lids and bags under your eyes. When the skin around the eyes sags considerably, the upper and outer areas of your field of vision could get affected and it would be more difficult to see. Eyelid surgery, which is usually performed for cosmetic reasons, offers an added benefit – it can resolve vision problems as it involves removing the excess skin on the upper eyelids.

What Blepharoplasty Involves

In the traditional method, the incision is made so that the scar stays hidden within the natural fold of the eyelid. After the excess tissue is removed, the incisions are closed with tiny stitches. More stable than traditional eyelid surgery, laser blepharoplasty involves no visible scar in the lower eyelid and assures quick results with minimal discomfort, downtime, and shorter recovery.

The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. It may be done under a local or general anesthesia, depending on the method used. If an eyebrow lift is also performed, the procedure can take longer.

You may experience some blurring of vision for some time after surgery, but will get better within two or three days. Some swelling, bruising and pain are typical, and complete recovery can take up to four weeks. During this time, it is important to follow the surgeon’s instructions on medication and protect the eyes from harsh sunlight.

Innovative Upper Eyelid Surgery Technique

Blepharoplasty improves vision and results in a fresh, more youthful appearance. Improved systems such as Cynosure’s state-of-the-art Smart Skin laser are ideal for upper eyelid rejuvenation. This procedure is virtually pain-free and can also result in naturally arched eyebrows and long, thick eyelashes.

January 2, 2015

Report Says Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery May Cure Migraine

We know how effective cosmetic eyelid surgery is to improve the aesthetic appearance of the eyes. It is a commonly performed procedure to help restore youthful-looking eyelids. Age, work pressure and stressful acts that strain the eyes can make the eyes look tired and puffy, which gets resolved with this surgery. Interestingly, a recent report from plastic surgeons in the journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery highlights its possibilities to cure migraine conditions as well. That is, a person undergoing the procedure can benefit from both improved eyelid appearance and relief from migraine.

Here are the details of the report.

A high success rate was reported when using a technique to screen and choose patients for a particular surgical migraine treatment procedure.
More than 90% of the individuals who underwent this procedure to decompress the nerves that trigger migraines revealed that they experienced relief from pain along with a bonus cosmetic eyelid surgery.
In a chosen group of individuals, incisions made on the upper eyelid showed equally effective release and deactivation of the nerves causing migraines.
Generally a positive response rate of 90.7% was reported.
For 51.3% of the patients, migraine headaches were completely eliminated. Also, an 80% reduction of symptoms was noted in about a fifth of these people. Almost one third of them reported that 50 – 80% of their symptoms were cured.

Statistics show that more than 5% of men and 17% of women in the US suffer from migraine headaches. Females in the age range of 18-44 were the ones who mostly had this condition. About 26.1% of them had experienced severe headache or 3-month prevalence of migraine. Headache was the third leading cause of emergency department visits as well.

Eyes are one of the most important facial features that enhance the overall facial appearance. That is why individuals looking for a facial rejuvenation procedure prefer undergoing eyelid surgery. These additional benefits assured are sure to enhance the popularity of this procedure.

October 31, 2014

Before and After Eyelid Surgery – Things to Consider

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a popular cosmetic surgical procedure among men and women to resolve tired and puffy eyes and restore a more youthful look. It reduces the surplus skin and fat in the eyelid area to make the eyes look more alert and attractive. If you are going in for eyelid surgery, there are some guidelines that need to be followed before and after the procedure to minimize risks:

The use of medications during the two weeks prior to the procedure must be approved by your surgeon
Follow a healthy diet to avoid any health issues at the time of procedure
Avoid smoking two weeks prior to and after the procedure
Make your home ready for post-operative care before your treatment.
Make arrangements for a family member or friend to accompany you to and from the practice and for someone to be with you during the first 48 hours after the procedure
Do not eat or drink anything the night before or after midnight the day before the surgery day – prescription medication can be taken with the knowledge of your surgeon
Wear comfortable clothing on the surgery day and avoid makeup or jewelry

You may experience slight swelling, bruising and discomfort which subside soon. A sensation of tightness can occur but eases after the first week.

Apply the ointment and eye drops as directed; take the prescribed medicines and use cold compress packs if advised
Light exercises can be started at the first week, and regular exercise and workouts, normally about 2 weeks after the surgery.
If you notice anything unusual visual changes or bleeding, contact the surgeon’s office immediately
Return to the office for follow-ups as instructed by your physician

Going by these guidelines can help ensure that your blepharoplasty goes more smoothly.

June 23, 2014

ASPS Reports 6% Increase in Eyelid Surgery Procedures in 2012-2013

The power of cosmetic surgery to visibly transform looks is encouraging more and more men and women to undergo various procedures. The 2013 cosmetic surgery statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) showed that about 15.1 million procedures were performed in the country in 2013 – up by 3% from 2012.

It is seen that eyelid surgery ranks third in last year’s list of most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. The report noted that 215,641 eyelid surgery procedures performed in US during in 2013. Among the top five procedures, blepharoplasty and facelift surgery enjoyed the highest rate of increase of 6% in 2012-2013.

According to the report, blepharoplasty procedures performed by women constituted 86% of the total eyelid surgery performed in 2013 with 185,243 procedures. In this case too, there was a 6% increase from 2012. Male blepharoplasty procedures made up 14% of the total with 30,398 procedures in 2013, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. The treatment stands second in the list of both top 5 male and female cosmetic surgery procedures in 2013.

The eyes play an important role in facial expression. Stress and aging can cause bags under the eyes, making a person look older than he or she actually is. Blepharoplasty is a simple procedure to rejuvenate the eyes and can make a big difference to a person’s appearance. The eyelid lift is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the eyelids. This reduces puffiness and wrinkles and improves the shape of the eyelids. The result is a more youthful, alert, energetic look. Eyelid surgery can also improve vision.

SmartBleph blepharoplasty is offered at advanced practices with the objective of improving the appearance of the eyes and eyelids. Underlying tissue is tightened and elasticity of the skin is restored during the procedure. The new age technology serves to get rid of the unwelcome aging signs and restore youthful looks. Eyelid surgery can be performed in conjunction with a facelift or brow lift to enhance the outcome.

February 18, 2014

Julie Chen Had Eyelid Surgery to Boost Her Career

Big expressive eyes can certainly be an asset when you are in the media business. At least this is what Julie Chen’s personal experience proved. Chen made headlines last September when she revealed that she had eyelid surgery at the age of 25 to boost her career.

While she was working as a local news reporter, Chen found that her “Asian eyes” stood in the way of her job prospects. After facing many rejections – one comment was that her eyes made her look disinterested and bored – the 43-year-old Chinese-American woman finally decided have plastic surgery to make her eyes look bigger and “less Chinese”.

After the surgery, Chen admitted that the ball did roll for her career-wise and she said, “It got me to where we are today. And I’m not going to look back.” Post surgery, she admitted that her eyes are now bigger and look more alert and expressive. The blepharoplasty procedure she had done almost two decades ago could be a source of inspiration for women who wish to Americanize their eyes.

More and more men and women are opting to have eyelid surgery to resolve aesthetic issues

Tired and puffy eyes
Bags under the eyes
Loose and sagging skin in the upper eyelid
Wrinkled or drooping eyelids

One thing to be highlighted is that she took trouble in finding the right surgeon to perform the treatment which helped her to experience a successful surgery. So it would be crucial for you to choose a skilled cosmetic surgeon with good experience in the treatment if you have the desire to improve your eyelid appearance.