Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Understanding Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery
The degenerative processes of aging are facts of life. But what most people do not realize is that these processes start from the day we are born! The main difference between the young and the old is not how rapidly the degeneration occurs, but rather how successfully the body repairs the damage. Damage to our bodies occurs from a number of sources. Radiation, especially sunlight, actually damages our DNA, the chemical blueprint of our body, and prevents our cells from making reparative substances. Toxins, such as those found in cigarette smoke, initiate the formation of free radicals, compounds able to oxidize (chemically burn) every tissue in our body, and use up the naturally occurring anti-oxidants we store. Medical science has not yet found a way to reverse aging, but we can slow it and we can make the changes of time less noticeable.

Preventative and Nutritional Therapy
To slow aging, it is imperative that we remove from our environment the sources of damage or at least shield ourselves from them. For example, we can try to limit sun exposure and quit smoking. We can also increase our intake of protective and reparative substances by eating foods or supplements containing scientifically proven antioxidants. Some known antioxidants include Vitamins A,C, and E, and minerals such as Selenium. Most diets rich in fruits and vegetables would provide more than adequate amounts of these and many other important substances. But how can one make less obvious the damage already done? How can one remove the wrinkles and the bulges, especially from our faces, the one part of our body that is always exposed and that will always reveal our aging? There are surgical and laser techniques discussed in the next section to assist in this endeavor.

Wrinkles, Rings, and Sags Around the Eyes
Wrinkling of the skin occurs when the normal elasticity of the skin is deficient. Because we naturally lose the elasticity of our skin as we age, wrinkles make us look older. Rings under the eyes occur when the blood vessels surrounding the eyes become engorged or break. This occurs with trauma, including the damage caused when we rub our eyes, but can also occur with diseases such as allergies that cause inflammation around the eyes. Sagging of skin under the eyelids occurs either when the skin becomes less elastic or when fat or fluids accumulate under the skin, causing it to bulge. The fat comes from the padding that normally surrounds our eye; it is kept in place by a strong tissue called the septum, and the condition in which this septum weakens and lets the fat protrude is called dermatochalasis, a common sign of aging. Fluids accumulate beneath the eyelids during inflammation such as with allergies or after trauma.

Laser Skin Resurfacing
A new technology, the UltraPulse Laser, is now available to remove fine lines from around the eyes and the mouth, places not easily smoothed by conventional surgery. This procedure can be performed under local anesthesia. It does not cause the skin to appear so "stretched" as it might look after conventional surgery. The UltraPulse Laser actually vaporizes the tissue surrounding wrinkles and unlike other lasers, permits the water in skin tissues to evaporate without charring the skin. It is less likely to scar than older laser therapies and is less irritating than chemical skin peels, permitting quicker and more comfortable recovery. UltraPulse Laser can be combined with conventional or laser-assisted eyelid surgery, although many patients will be satisfied with only the Laser Skin Resurfacing procedure. After conventional surgery, the laser can also be used to tighten the skin, "ironing away" the wrinkles, and giving a more natural look as well as improving the quality of the skin texture.

Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper or lower eyelids, restoring a more youthful appearance. When blepharoplasty is performed upon the upper eyelids, an incision is made in the natural lid crease with a laser or surgical blade so that the surgeon can then obtain access to the fat and skin that needs to be removed, to reshape the lids. When operating upon the lower eyelids, the surgeon removes the fatty bags of tissue and tightens the skin. Notably, the Ultrapulse Laser permits the surgeon to remove fat from the internal surface of the lids and tighten the skin without the need for a skin incision! Obviously, there is less bleeding and quicker recovery with this procedure.

Ptosis Repair
Ptosis is drooping of the eyelids caused by a weakening of the muscle (called the levator) that elevates the lids. Ptosis can seriously impair vision. And the efforts a patient makes to elevate the lids can cause fatigue and eyestrain. However, this problem is reparable and is generally covered by insurance. When ptosis begins to interfere with vision, careful measurements, testing and documentation are performed by the ophthalmologist to determine the cause and best treatment of the ptosis. If surgery is required, it can be performed on a same-day, outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The surgery removes excess upper eyelid skin and fat, and reattaches the levator muscle to allow the eyelid to rest at a higher, more appropriate level. It is important that the surgeon be sufficiently skilled so that the eyelid is raised enough to alleviate lost vision but not too much as to predispose the patient to insufficient lid closure and subsequent drying of the eye. Like blepharoplasty, ptosis repair can be performed with the use of a laser.

Cosmetic Services
Eye Doctors of Lancaster offers "Power Peel", a microdermabrasion service. Microdermabrasion gently exfoliates or removes the top, dead, layer of the skin's surface resulting in a smoother and fresher, younger, looking skin. This procedure has been used in Europe for many years and can be an alternative to plastic surgery, laser peels and chemical peels.

We also offer a full line of professional make-up and skin care products with a staff to provide skin care and make-up consultative services. Additionally, our staff will provide different types of facials. Please watch this page and our "Events" page for further information on these services.

It is important to note that all of our cosmetic services are provided under the supervision of licensed physicians who are Board Certified Ophthalmologists.