Can You Do a Double Eyelid Surgery?
They say the eyes are the window to the soul. We think its better when you can actually see into those beautiful eyes clearly and frankly its even more important to be able to see out of them clearly too! For some people, on of the biggest signs of aging is sagging eyelids. Gravity has taken ahold over the years and shows up around those windows to the soul giving the world a quick glimpse that you have taken many trips around the sun.
Eyelid surgery, formally known as a blethoroplasty, can be a life changing procedure. There are actually a few kinds of eyelid surgeries you can do that really help improve the overall appearance of the face and for some people, can improve their vision. Therefore, eyelid surgery can be purely for cosmetic reasons, or for some people, it is a functional medical procedure.
An eye surgeon can diagnose for you if there is a medical condition and exactly which one you may be experiencing during a consultation. Considering this procedure is done around the eyes, it is important to have this done with a specialist who understands the eyes themselves as well as the skin around them.
Eyelid surgery treats the area around your eyes that could have a few concerns:
Permanent bags underneath the eyes
Drooping below the brow
Excess skin above or below the eyes
Fat pockets above or below the eyes
Eyelids turning in or outwards incorrectly (typically on the lower lid)
Can you do a double eyelid surgery?
When this question is asked, it could be in relation to a few different concerns. First, some people are asking if they can have both of their eyes address during one procedure. It is actually more uncommon to not have both eyes addressed at the same time. Therefore, the answer to this question is yes, you can have a double eyelid surgery.
Secondly, other people may be asking if they can address both above the eyes themselves and below the eyes at the same time. These are two different procedures called the upper blethoroplasty (above the eye) and lower blethoroplasty (below the eye). Both of these procedures are performed with a CO2 laser, which minimizes bruising and swelling, resulting in a faster recovery time. Optimally both procedures also only require a small incision, that when completed by a highly trained eye surgeon, leave no visible scar.
The Upper Lid Blepharoplasty (or Upper Eyelid Lift) is done to reduce loose or excess skin found in the upper lid crease. This can reduce the weight of the upper eyelid (making it easier to keep the eyes open) and remove upper eyelid hooding (improving the peripheral vision). This results in a more youthful, awake appearance and improve peripheral vision.
The Lower Lid Blepharoplasty (or Lower Eyelid Lift) is done to reduce the puffiness of the lower eyelids or bags under the eyes. The incision is made on the inside of the eyelid so there is no external visible scar. In patients that have excess sagging skin in the lower eyelid, a small incision can made at the eyelash line can be made to remove the excess skin. This results in a smoothing out of the skin under the eye giving a more refreshed, rested appearance.
Although there are two main types of eyelid surgeries, you can opt to have both done at the same time if you qualify for this. Therefore, yes you can do a double eyelid surgery should you be a good candidate for it. Generally speaking, our patients find either procedure to be minimally painful with results that do not show a scar to other people. As with most anything, each person is unique and their situation must be evaluated by an experienced professional to determine the best possible results.
The third question you may be asking, is referring to the specific type of eyelid surgery commonly referred to as double eyelid surgery. Some people are born with what is called a monolid or single lid. This means that their eyelids do not have a crease. If this is the case, you may be looking to create that visible lid crease that other people are born with. This specific procedure is also referred to by some as an “Asian Blethoroplasty”.
Medically, there is nothing wrong with the monolid. We think it is a beautiful differentiator! If this is something that you are interested in considering, the answer is yes, you can do a double eyelid surgery if you are medically able to do so. Of course, with any surgery, we cannot guarantee your specific ability to do so in an article like this and you would want to schedule a consultation to determine your best route.
Before moving forward, you should have realistic expectations for any of theses surgeries and make sure you are in good health. You must stop taking medications that cause bleeding, including ibuprofen, warfarin, naproxen, and aspirin, at least a few weeks before the procedure. You should also quit smoking, as it can increase your risk of complications.
What happens during an eyelid surgery?
The process starts with a physical exam and vision exam to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for surgery. Your surgeon will also take pictures of your eyelids from all angles to help plan the surgery based on your desired results.
On the day of the procedure, the surgeon will numb the eyelid area and may provide medication to ease any anxiety associated with the surgery. Then, he or she will make tiny incisions along the eyelids, remove excess tissue as detailed in the surgical plan, and close the incision with sutures.
Although this is an outpatient procedure, you should plan to have someone drive you home afterward and stay with you overnight.
Why do I need to see an eye doctor over a plastic surgeon for eyelid surgery?
Any of the eyelid surgeries are highly specialized procedures where no two are just alike. An eyelid surgery should only be performed by highly trained surgeons who have specific knowledge of the eyelid anatomy. If not performed correctly, significant scarring and deformity to the lids can occur. A plastic surgeon is often not trained specifically for the eyes. Understanding the various eye conditions that could be an issue is important to know to be able to address the whole eye health and come up with the best solution possible.
The area around your eyes have so many intricacies that no matter which eyelid surgery you are considering, you want to make sure that you work with an experienced oculoplastic surgeon, whether you are having the procedure done here in Florida or elsewhere. At Perich Eye, we have multiple convenient locations around central Florida to serve you best. Our staff would be happy to have a consultation with you to go over all your options for your eyes specifically. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!