As defined by medicine.net, blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or an eyelid tuck, is "plastic surgery on the eyelids done to correct ptosis (sagging eyelids), remove fatty bulges around the eyes, and eliminate hanging skin from the eyelids." According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' most recent statistics, 27,602 men and 182,397 women had eyelid surgery in 2006 alone, making it the third most popular cosmetic surgery treatment in the United States today.

Recommended for healthy men and women, usually over the age of 35, blepharoplasty can be used to:

• Remove the excess skin which obscures the natural fold of the upper eyelids
• Decrease upper eyelid puffiness
• Eliminate the creeping lines which form around the eyes due to excess skin
• Reduce the 'bags' and dark circles which can form under the eyes with time
• Remove the loose skin which hangs down from the upper eyelids
• Correct vision impairments which may result from excess skin around the eyelids
• Reduce the droopiness of the lower eyelids
• Create an eyelid crease

Although blepharoplasty can usually correct these problems, many patients find that other procedures may be necessary to achieve the desired effect. For example, a forehead lift may be recommended to treat sagging eyebrows, or a laser resurfacing treatment may be necessary to treat crow's feet.

There are four types of eyelid surgeries which doctors are currently using today: upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, transconjunctival blepharoplasty, and asian eyelid surgery, the upper and lower eyelid surgeries being the most common. Upper eyelid surgery is used to remove excess skin on the upper eyelid as well as reduce puffiness in the inner corner and middle of the upper eyelid. This procedure enhances the shape, position, and depth of the eyelid crease. Conversely, lower eyelid surgery removes the excess fat and skin which leads to puffiness, or bags, under the eyes. Frequently, as in the case of younger individuals, the patient will have a pocket of fat beneath the lower eyelids but no excess skin. In this case the surgeon may choose to perform transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside the lower eyelid. Unlike upper and lower eyelid surgeries, transconjunctivial blepharoplasty leaves no visible scar. Lastly, Asian eyelid surgery, also known as a double eyelid operation, is used to create a natural-looking eyelid crease. Most surgeons prefer to perform this cosmetic procedure without 'westernizing' the patient's appearance. Although each of these eyelid surgeries can be performed individually, it is not uncommon for them to be used in conjunction with another.

Eyelid surgery itself is a relatively simple outpatient procedure which takes one to three hours on average, determinant upon the amount and degree of work which is to be done. Although some surgeons prefer to use a general anesthetic, more commonly, a local anesthetic is given along with oral or intravenous sedatives. The surgery begins when the surgeon makes incisions that follow the natural lines of the eyelids. This may include incisions in the upper lid creases, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. Incisions may also extend into the laugh lines or crows feet at the outer corners of the eyes. At this point, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removing excess fat, and trimming any excess skin or muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures. After the surgery, the surgeon lubricates the eyes with ointment and applies a bandage. Medication is usually prescribed for any tightness or pain resultant from the procedure, and stitches are frequently removed two days to a week after the surgery.

Following the procedure, it is not uncommon for patients experience swelling and bruising that can last anywhere from two weeks to a month. As a result, most surgeons suggest their patients use a cold compress and keep their heads elevated for several days in order to minimize this side effect. Other side effects may include, but are not limited to, dryness of the eyes, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light and temporary changes in eyesight, such as blurring or double vision. Most people feel ready to resume their activities in a week to 10 days; however strenuous activities should be avoided for three weeks following the surgery. Because healing is a gradual process, scars may remain pink for six months or more after the surgery. However, eventually scars do fade into a nearly invisible line.

Although the cost of blepharoplasty varies depending upon a number of factors including the extent of the surgery to be performed, along with the credentials and location of the surgeon, statistics provided by InfoPlasticSurgery.com, a website devoted to educating people about cosmetic surgery, quote the average cost for a typical eyelid surgery as ranging between $4000 and $5500 dollars. In most cases, insurance will not cover eyelid surgery unless the patient can prove that his or her eyelid condition obstructs or interferes with vision in some way.

For more information about Blepharoplasty, contact your cosmetic surgeon.