What is eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure to remove skin and to add or remove fat from the eyelids. The term “eyelid lift” is a misnomer because the eyelid is not truly lifted during surgery.

Upper blepharoplasty surgery uses incisions to allow for removal of skin and fat. A thin stitch is then used to bring the skin together to allow for a creation of an eyelid crease.

Lower eyelid surgery can involve skin incisions directly below the lash line or an incision on the inside of the eyelid, called a transconjunctival approach. The transconjunctival approach allows for access to the eyelid without visible incisions, making this technique perfect for patients who need fat removed or added. This approach can be combined with laser resurfacing of the eyelid skin to reduce lines and wrinkles.

A chalazion is a small bump that appears on your eyelid because of a blocked oil gland. It’s similar to a stye (an enflamed oil gland on the eyelid), but is usually smaller and less painful. It can develop on the upper or lower eyelid, and it often disappears without treatment in about one month.

Still, you should see a doctor if you think you might have a chalazion, especially if it’s large enough to block your vision. In rare cases, chalazia are caused by skin cancer.

Blepharitis (Eyelid Inflammation)

Blepharitis is a common eyelid inflammation that sometimes is associated with a bacterial eye infection, symptoms of dry eyes or certain types of skin conditions such as acne rosacea.

Blepharitis has two basic forms:

Anterior blepharitis, affecting the outside front of the eyelid where eyelashes are attached.
Posterior blepharitis, linked to dysfunction of meibomian glands within the eyelids that secrete oils to help lubricate the eye.

It’s common to have a mixture of both anterior and posterior forms of blepharitis at the same time, but in different degrees of severity.

Although eye doctors commonly diagnose blepharitis, it can be difficult to find permanent relief of the symptoms that can include burning, flaking, crusting, tearing, irritation, itching, redness in eyelid margins and a foreign body sensation.