EYELID AND ORBITAL TREATMENTS AND SURGERY

Helping You Feel Good

BLEPHAROPLASTY

Upper blepharoplasty is an upper eye lid surgery where the excess skin, fat or muscle is removed that is causing a droopy eye appearance.

The main reason one gets drooping eyelids is because as we age the skin looses its elasticity, the eyelids stretch and the muscles supporting the eyelids weaken. Other reasons that may cause the skin to stretch around the eyes is excessive rubbing of the eye, (especially for those with allergies), eye trauma or eye surgery complications, damage to the nerves, congenital ptosis, eyelid tumors and autoimmune diseases that affect the muscles and nerves.

The main reason people elect to have upper eye lids surgery is because:

it is hindering their peripheral vision (side vision),
causing headaches and migraines due to overusing other facial muscles in attempt to see better and the repeated forehead lifting action contributes to the development of deep lines and wrinkles,
causing sores and irritation on the skin of the eyelids
they wish to appear more youthful and alert.

BLEPHALOPLASTY

Lower blepharoplasty or lower eye lid surgery is tightening, removal and/or repositioning of excess skin, fat and muscle that give the appearance of puffy eyes or bags under the eye.

Due to age or otother conditions many have the appearance of bags under their eyelids that contributes to a tiered and aged look. The main reason people elect to have this corrected is because:

they wish to to improve facial expressions and reduce misunderstandings that are based on appearance
they are not being able to close their eyes properly which can cause other eye problems
wish to appear more youthful, refreshed and alert

ECTROPION

Ectropion is when the eyelid turns outwards. This is normally age-related and happens when the skin, muscle and fat around the lower eyelid looses its laxity.

Other cases include skin disorders, scarring, trauma, previous eye surgery complications, eye lid tumors or lesions, certain genetic disorders or diseases that cause muscle or nerve paralysis such as Bell´s Palsy.

Ectopion can cause many bothersome and serious problems including:

watering of the eyes when the tears no longer are able to drain properly through the eye channel
a highly red lower lid appearance due to exposed conjunctiva
irritated conjunctiva
mucoid discharge from eye when the exposed eyeball becomes irritated
sensitivity to light and wind
increased chance of eye infection and corneal ulcers

ENTROPRION

Entropion is when the eyelid turns inwards and the skin and or eyelashes start rubbing on the eyes surface. Left untreated it can result in eye infections, damage to the cornea and even blindness.

This condition can be the result of either previous burns, infection, inflammation, trauma, complications from another eye surgery, muscle spasms, age-related laxity of the eye tissue and congenital birth defects.

Entropion can be painful and may include the following symptoms:

sensation of something inside the eye
red eyes
irritated and painful eyes,
sensitivity to light and wind,
excessive tearing
mucoid discharge from eye
formation of a crust on the eyelid

There are many different therapies depending on the root cause of the condition. Treatment options vary from artificial tear drops and lubricating ointments, anti-inflammatory medication to relieve swelling, soft contact lenses, botox, skin tape and surgery.

EYE LID LUMPS

Eyelids are surprisingly very complex and are composed of many different types of tissues and cells.

Lumps on the eyelids common and can occur along or on the upper or lower eyelid. Some lumps may even form further out and around the eyes. Most eyelid bumps appear as red, or skin-colored but others may appear more yellow, whitish or

have small blood veins inside. Some lumps can also be tender or painful to the touch.

Some accompanying symptoms that require medical attention include:

blocked visual field
excessive tearing or running eyes
discharge or pus from the eye
changes to the normally white coloured cornea
light sensitivity
bleeding
growing lumps
formation of crust, scales or skin flakes on the eyelid
formation of blisters or open sores

There are 5 types of main bumps or lumps that may appear on the eyelids:

1. chalazion

2. stie

3. blepharitis

4. cancer

5. xanthelasma

Chalazion

Chalazion is the most common type of eyelid bump. It occurs when the oil gland that helps maintain a healthy tear film becomes blocked. In essence, chalazions are harmless cysts but can cause significant discomfort for the patient. Usually chalazions are small and disappear by themselves over time. In other cases they may become enlarged, painful, block the patients visual field and appearing unsightly. In rarer cases, the chalazion may become infected and spread to the rest of the eyelid, something which then requires antibiotic treatment.

In cases where the chalazion does not go away on its own, grows, becomes painful or very unsightly it can be surgically removed. Chalazion removal is a very quick and small procedure done under local anesthetic with a hidden incision under the eyelid.

Please note that to be on the safe side children with lumps on the eyelid should be evaluated by a pediatric ophthalmologist. Although chalazions are especially common in children they are at the same time at higher risk for permanent damage to the oil glands and other parts of the eyelid structure.

Furthermore, patients should never attempt to remove, cut, squeeze pop eyelid lumps at home by themselves. This can cause damage to the eyelid tissue, spread bacteria to the eye and cause infections

Sties/ Styes

Stie lumps are usually red and painful and form near the edge of your eyelid. They are most commonly caused by a bacterial inflection in one or more of the small glands near the base of your eyelashes.

They often look a boil or pimple and are often filled with pus. A sty usually forms on the outside of your eyelid, but sometimes it can form on the inner part of your eyelid.

Blepharitis

Inflamed eyelash follicles

Cancer

Xanthelasma

CUSTOMISED CARE - YOUR EYES ARE UNIQUE!

Whatever your motivations are for wanting to undergo upper or lower eyelid surgery, it is vital to seek advice from a qualified and experienced eye surgeon. Since every eye is unique and because there can be many unseen causes or co-conditions that affect a surgery outcome, no two blepharoplasty surgeries are the same.

So how are surgeries performed?

First and foremost all first time patients and those that want to see if they qualify for the surgery are given an in depth 50 min exam with Dr. Salvanos. At Salvanos Eye Clinic, we are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships based on trust and medical integrity with every single patient.

After you have been informed of expected outcomes, recovery time, and further course of treatment and follow-ups the surgery will take place at your elected clinic or hospital.

Eyelid surgery: Services