As the often quoted saying goes, “the eyes are the windows to the soul.” Though it may now be a cliché, this saying couldn’t be further from the truth.
Our eyes expose many of our emotions and reveal plenty of information about us to the outside world. Whether we are stressed, tired, fearful, sad, or exhilarated, our eyes clearly demonstrate our emotions.
For some, the eyes can be sources of significant discomfort. Sufferers of the medical condition “dry eyes” can’t produce enough tears to properly lubricate and sustain the eyes, leading to redness, itching, and irritation.
The delicate nature of the thin skin that surrounds our eyes means they are also particularly susceptible to the aging process. Indeed, the eyes are often the first areas of concern for people beginning to show signs of aging. Initially, fine lines and wrinkles emerge (commonly referred to as crow’s feet), followed by puffy sacs under the eyes and droopy upper eyelids.
Eyelid surgery, technically referred to as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that addresses these common signs of aging. Blepharoplasty’s rejuvenating nature has a significant impact on the entire face; however, the procedure may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those suffering from dry eyes.
Here, Dr. George H. Landis discusses precisely what is involved in eyelid surgery and why patients suffering from dry eyes may require alternative treatments.
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery is a plastic surgery procedure performed on an outpatient basis.
The procedure can be used to address most aspects of eye-aging:
- Eliminates puffy bags under the eyelids
- Removes excess skin in the upper eyelid, causing a droopy appearance to the eye
- Tightens the skin surrounding the eyes, restoring a youthful countenance to the upper face
The procedure is often performed under local anesthesia. However, this does depend on the extent of the surgery being carried out.
During a blepharoplasty, Dr. Landis will excise excess skin. He can also remove excess fat, or introduce fat cells via fat transfer to add volume and fullness to sagging eyes.
Patients generally require anywhere between seven to ten days to return to normal activities following the surgery, and after fourteen to eighteen days, the eyes should be nearly fully healed.
During recovery from surgery, patients often experience lower tear production and lower blink rates. Both of these factors contribute towards temporary dry eyes, and in patients suffering from chronic dry eyes, eyelid surgery can make the condition worse.
What Are Dry Eyes?
Medically referred to as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dry eyes occur when either not enough tears are produced to lubricate the eyes properly, or the tears produced evaporate too quickly.
It is a common medical condition in the U.S., with over 3 million cases treated every year. The condition can be temporary or chronic, with different causes requiring different treatments.
Generally affecting older adults, particularly women heading towards menopause, dry eyes are a treatable condition.
What Causes Dry Eye Syndrome?
Patients suffering from dry eyes either don’t produce enough tears, or the tears produced don’t perform their lubricating function properly.
- Not enough tears.