Blepharoplasty Innovations

• What is blepharoplasty?
• What is blepharoplasty surgery like?
• What innovations are improving the blepharoplasty procedure?
• Can I benefit from blepharoplasty?

The telltale signs of aging around your eyes can be erased with a popular eyelid surgical procedure called blepharoplasty. In fact, it’s one of the top five cosmetic procedures in the United States to help erase the signs of aging.

Named one of the top facial plastic surgeons in Orlando, FL, in 2020, Edward J. Gross, M.D. says patients ask him if there are any new innovations in blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery. The answer is a resounding yes! 

Here’s what Dr. Gross had to say about the latest clinical innovations in this effective cosmetic procedure.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. This is typically an outpatient procedure where excess tissue from around the eyelids is trimmed and patients go home within a few hours of the procedure. 

Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper or lower lids, or both. The goal of blepharoplasty is to either improve the function of the eyelids or rejuvenate the skin around the eyes to make them appear younger.

Blepharoplasty can treat a number of conditions, including:

• Bags under the eyes
• Eye puffiness 
• Droopy lower eyelids
• Fine wrinkles around the lower eyelid
• Saggy or lose skin around the eyes

What Is Blepharoplasty Surgery Like?

For healthy patients that are prime candidates for blepharoplasty, the procedure is performed as a non-invasive outpatient procedure at a surgical facility. 

Patients are put under general anesthesia throughout the procedure. After the surgery, the eyes will be swollen and bruised. However, a new technology innovation is helping patients heal up to five times faster than in the past.

What Innovations Are Improving the Blepharoplasty Procedure?

Dr. Gross says the Lid Lift Goggle is one of the newest and most innovative changes for blepharoplasty procedures benefiting patients.

The Lid Lift Goggle is immediately placed on the eyes following blepharoplasty surgery. In the past, the biggest complaints from patients often weren’t the blepharoplasty procedure, but the eye swelling and bruising that occurred afterwards.

According to Dr. Gross, 87% of patients who have been surveyed say the Lid Lift Goggle dramatically improved their healing process. “These goggles reduce bruising and swelling by a factor of three to five-fold.”

When do patients wear the goggles?

Patients wear the Lid Lift Goggle for three days just after surgery. The goal is to wear the goggles up to 80% of the day and at night to reduce the swelling and bruising that follows a blepharoplasty procedure. The results have been dramatic. Dr. Gross says, “When patients wear these for 48-72 hours, they look like they’ve been healing for a week.”

Invented by a doctor, the Lid Lift Google can replace all or some of the ice packs patients place over their eyes as they’re recovering from blepharoplasty. They also can be worn comfortably at night when the patient sleeps. Dr. Gross says, “The incision sites are also protected by the goggles and they’re very comfortable.” 

How do the goggles work?

The Lid Lift Goggle works by evenly distributing gentle pressure across the orbital rim, which makes it very comfortable to wear. The goggles are placed over the ends of the eyes directly after the blepharoplasty procedure. There is an adjustable strap on the back of the goggles for comfort. Dr. Gross says, “With this in place, the periocular soft tissues don’t have any capillary leakage, thereby reducing bruising and swelling.” The goggles are lined with a cooling foam, which replaces the traditional pressure patch normally worn after surgery.

How do the goggles improve recovery?

The goal of this innovation is to help patients heal more quickly and have less downtime at home. Dr. Gross says, “With an outpatient recovery and the lid lift goggles, patients are seeing dramatically improved recovery from eyelid surgery.”

Can I Benefit From Blepharoplasty?

Whether improved looks or vision is the goal, blepharoplasty has proven benefits for patients. Some of the benefits of this form of eyelid surgery include:

• Enhancing the shape and appearance of the eyes
• Fewer wrinkles
• Improving vision
• Looking younger and more rested
• Natural appearance
• Reducing skin irritation
• Lessening under the eye bags

One of the best cosmetic benefits of blepharoplasty is the removal of excess skin and fat from around the eyes. As we age, this is a normal process that shows up as wrinkling, recessed eyes, dark eye bags, and a general look of tiredness and aging. 

Blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can make patients look younger. Since the sagging skin can also block vision, eyelid surgery can also help patients see better. All that sagging skin rubbing together can even create skin irritation; and eyelid surgery can help with that, too.

Since our eyes are a prominent feature of the face, excessive wrinkling and sagging skin can make patients look older than they need to. People choose the blepharoplasty procedure as an effective way to look more refreshed and younger. It’s a minor procedure performed quickly in a doctor’s office with very good results. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the blepharoplasty procedure. 

Good candidates for eyelid surgery include:

• Healthy patients with no conditions that hamper healing
• Nonsmokers (smoking inhibits healing)
• People without other serious forms of eye disease

Next Steps

If you’re interested in looking your best, consider an eyelid surgery consultation in Orlando with Dr. Gross and his team at Primera Plastic Surgery. We are devoted to helping you look and feel your best. Contact us online today for an appointment or call us at (407) 333-3040.