Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery to remove skin and fat in the eyelids that are contributing to the appearance of aging. Sometimes this excess skin and fat can compromise vision, but often may not.  In the upper lids, there may be excess skin that hangs down, creates a second or third fold or blocks the platform of the upper lid making makeup difficult to apply. In the lower lid, there can often be fat pads that appear to bulge forward creating the look of “lower lid bags” and “dark circles.” There can be significant wrinkles and excess skin in the lower lid as well. These can all be treated with aesthetic eyelid surgery. The Department of Oculoplastics at Columbia Ophthalmology in Manhattan, New York offers blepharoplasty.

The procedures are performed with sedation as well as local anesthetic and may be performed in the office or in a surgery center.  At the start of upper eyelid surgery we mark out the amount of skin that can be safely taken from the lids so that the eyelids still close naturally and easily. We make a mark in the eyelid crease because this is where we can hide our incisions.  In this way, the scars are essentially imperceptible after the healing takes place. We mark out an area of skin to be removed. We cut along those marks and remove the excess skin. We will also sculpt back the protruding fat pads to give a smooth, more youthful contour. The skin is then closed with sutures that typically need to be removed in about a week. For the lower lids, often some fat is removed to help smooth the bulging fat pads and minimize the shadow effect of the fat pads leading to dark circles. This is performed through an incision on the inside of the eyelid. In addition, a small amount of skin may be removed to treat the wrinkles along the lower eyelid.

For both the aesthetic upper and lower eyelid surgeries, the techniques and amounts of skin and fat removed are very specifically tailored to meet the needs and desires of the patient. We do not believe in “cookie cutter” surgery, but will address the concerns of each individual patient based on what their eyelid issues, contours, and shapes are.  Contact the Department of Oculoplastics at Columbia Ophthalmology in Manhattan, New York today to make an appointment.