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Face

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids. This includes fat transposition, a procedure where fat is added to hollow or sunken areas to give a fuller look. It can be performed on the upper or lower lid, or both.

William Shakespeare wrote that the eyes are the window to the soul. He was right – alluring eyes can have a positive effect on an individual as well as on those who look upon him or her, so it is no surprise that eyelid surgery is one of the most sought after cosmetic surgery procedures in Singapore.

Why Do People Undergo Eyelid Surgery?

Some people with puffy eyelids may have difficulties applying eyeliner due to the excess fat on their eyelids. There are various “home-fix” techniques such as double eyelid tape, thick eyeliner or even rubbing of the eyes to create double eyelids. Such methods are, however, time-consuming and temporary. With eyelid surgery, patients are looking for a permanent solution to their desire for larger and “more attractive” eyes.

Widely known as a cosmetic procedure, it is also typically done to reduce signs of aging like eyebags for a more youthful appearance. However, blepharoplasty is also used to treat medical conditions such as droopy eyelids, which can impair vision, particularly in older people.

Blepharoplasty is also the solution for people who are finding it difficult to wear glasses or contact lenses because of baggy eyelids. This is true as well for those who experience irritation and friction from the constant rubbing of excessive eyelid folds, and forehead discomfort caused by overused muscles from lifting baggy eyelids.

Eyelid surgery cannot treat saggy eyebrows, dark circles under the eyes, and other signs of aging such as crow’s feet and wrinkles. However, it can be done at the same time as another procedure, including skin resurfacing, and brow and face lifts.

What Are The Types of Eyelid Surgery?

Upper Blepharoplasty

Incision upper blepharoplasty is recommended for patients who have a moderate amount of excess eyelid fat. This technique involves the removal of excess upper eyelid skin and fat.

Thereafter, the upper eyelid crease is created by stitching the skin down to the deeper tarsal tissue. This technique minimises the chance of losing the fold. As skin excision is involved, the recovery time is typically 1-2 weeks. This is also performed to correct ageing upper eyelids where the excess skin, muscle and fat are excised.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty involves making tiny incisions beneath the lash line or inside the eyelid (transconjunctival approach) to add or remove excess fat and treat loose skin. At the same time, the eye muscles will be tightened to enhance the eyelid’s contour.

The eyelid surgeon often does this simultaneously with laser resurfacing to reduce creases around the eyes and improve skin texture. The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours with a downtime of about 10 days to 2 weeks.

Double Eyelid Surgery in Singapore

For double eyelid creation, the techniques include either suture blepharoplasty or incision upper blepharoplasty. Suture blepharoplasty (scarless double eyelid creation) is suitable for younger patients with minimal skin or fat excess. Usually three well-aimed sutures are placed in each eyelid, with technique and surgical precision being of utmost importance. The downtime is around 3-5 days as no cutting is involved.

For patients who desire “longer eyes”, medial or lateral epicanthoplasty procedures can be performed. It is important to note that good eyelid surgery should be customised to suit the patient’s natural facial structure and ethnicity. The Caucasian double eyelid is usually higher, deeply set and has a crease parallel to the lash line.

The ideal Asian double eyelid is more subtle with slight flaring at the lateral edge. Previously, the westernisation of Asian eyes was very common, but it resulted in unnaturally high folds with excessive fat and skin excision, leading to a hollowed out and aged look post-surgery. It is therefore vital that patients consult qualified plastic surgeons with an in-depth knowledge of eyelid anatomy and aesthetics. Only an experienced eyelid surgeon can make an accurate diagnosis of the problem and recommend the appropriate surgical treatment.

Singapore eyelid surgeon Dr. Leo Kah Woon from Dr Leo Aesthetic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery offers an extensive list of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery services, including upper, lower and double eyelid procedures. For more information, contact 6733 3895.

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