The eyelids frame the “windows to the soul.” Just as a well-crafted frame can enhance the beauty of a work of art, the eyelids play an important role in enhancing or detracting from the beauty of the eye. The eyelids help to reveal or conceal the shape of the eyes.
Because we naturally look into each other’s eyes when we meet and speak, the eyes and eyelids are an important focus of attention. They tell us much about a person’s mood: think of expressions like “bright eyes,” smiling eyes,” “tired eyes:” the list goes on!
Many of the attributes we ascribe to the eyes actually are from the eyelids: heavy, saggy or baggy eyelids are interpreted as synonymous with tiredness, fatigue, lack of sleep, being sad or unhappy, and “looking old.”
Heavy upper eyelids result from excess skin and/or fat, which can cover over the lashes and even insidiously begin to hide part of the eye and obstruct vision. As the folded skin conceals the smoothness of the upper eyelid and conceals the upper eyelid crease, the eye looks more “tired,” less youthful.
The most frequent problem with the lower eyelids is the development of fat bulges that create the “bags under the eyes,” and “dark circles” (which may also be caused by actual pigmentation irregularities). Variations in shape and position of the edge of the lower eyelid can also make the eye look tired or sad.
Fine lines, wrinkles and creases may also be features giving a tired or aged look.
“When is the best time for eyelid surgery?” Denver patients often ask me. Besides aging, many factors affect the condition of the eyelids: genetics, anatomy, swelling (fatigue/sleep, allergies, medications, disease), trauma, to name a few. So the right time for surgery, as well as the right choice of procedure can vary with each individual. There are many different blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) techniques to optimally treat each individual.
Each problem requires a different approach. Some are best treated with non-surgical procedures, some may require specific surgical techniques to give optimal results, while other conditions should not be treated surgically.
Learn if you are a candidate for eyelid surgery with a personalized consultation with an experienced specialist.
