Toronto Eyelid Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions
The eyelids are a small yet very intricate structure of the face made up of skin, muscle, cartilage, tendons, nerves, hair follicles, blood vessels, mucous membrane, and a variety of oil- and tear-producing glands. Optimized eyelid anatomy is vital for clear vision and the health of the eyes. Due to a variety of age-related and other physiological changes, eyelid surgery is performed to ensure this anatomy protects and nourishes the eyes, while also projecting vitality and natural beauty.
What types of eyelid surgeries are performed?
There are more than 50 different types of eyelid surgery that are performed but the most common ones include blepharoplasty (removal of excess skin and fat from the eyelids), laser eyelid surgery (for cosmesis and skin resurfacing), ptosis repair (droopy lid surgery, lid lift), lateral canthal tightening (lower eyelid tendon tightening when the lids either flip away from or towards the eyes), lesion removal (including styes, cysts, papillomas, skin cancers, etc.), tear duct surgery (for watery eyes), upper eyelid lengthening (Graves’ disease retraction), and eyelid reconstruction (after cancer removal or trauma).
How do I know if I need eyelid surgery?
Many patients seek out eyelid surgery simply because they feel that the eyelids are hooded, loose, or have dark circles that make them look tired or sad even when they’re not. From a functional point of view, eyelids that are not working optimally may cause blurry vision, decreased vision, and dry or red eyes. Other symptoms include eye and forehead fatigue, watery eyes, or a visible lump on the eyelid. When in doubt, seek a professional opinion from an MD or optometrist.
How long does eyelid surgery take to perform and what type of anesthesia is used?
Eyelid surgery can take as little as 15 minutes under local anesthesia if a simple lesion is being excised to as long as 3-4 hours under moderate sedation for a quad blepharoplasty with adjunct procedures. Moderate sedation still leaves you conscious but you’re very sleepy and relaxed. Virtually all eyelid surgery would be considered minimally-invasive and you go home the same day with minimal pain or blurry vision.
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery inherently carries the risk of potential trauma to your eyes and vision. At EFI, our team of oculo- (eye) plastic surgeons has advanced training in eyelid surgery. We perform a high volume of interventions, so have developed skill set mastery in this area. Other risks include under-treatment or over-treatment as well as potential scarring and eyelid asymmetry. Once again, these types of risks are mitigated if the surgeon has advanced training with high-volume clinical experience.
How long is recovery for eyelid surgery?
The first 3 days after eyelid surgery will involve regular icing over the operated area to decrease inflammation. We also recommend no heavy lifting or physical exertion (i.e. working out) for the first 7 days. By the end of the 2nd postoperative week, the bruising and swelling have typically decreased by 80-90%. The final 5-10% of healing can take up to 3-6 months. Certainly, the case complexity and patient medical history will impact the recovery period.