Our eyelids might not be something we particularly pay attention to on a daily basis, but they are far more important than we give them credit for. They consist of a thin layer of skin that covers the eye, protecting foreign bodies from entering, and keeping the eye moist by spreading tears during blinking. Extensive eyelid damage can require eyelid removal surgery to rectify the issue.
If a situation arises in which your eyelids are harmed, or damaged, in any way, you may be uncertain about what actions you need to take to resolve the issue. Similarly, you may be deliberating whether to undergo surgery on your eyelids for cosmetic purposes. Below are some of the main reasons you may require reconstructive eyelid surgery or eyelid removal surgery.
- The presence of a tumor
One of the most common reasons for undergoing reconstructive eyelid surgery is to remove a tumor, lump, or other deformation from the eyelid. The growth may develop almost overnight or take several months to a year to form. It is likely to cause discomfort, and sometimes pain, as well as difficulties with vision.
The removal of an eyelid growth is fairly straightforward and is usually carried out under a local anesthetic. First, the growth is removed, then the eyelid is reconstructed, to ensure it can function as well as possible following surgery.
2. Drooping or sagginess
With aging comes natural changes to the body, but some of these changes can negatively impact your overall well-being. For some people, drooping or sagginess of the eyelid becomes an issue at a later stage in life. This may affect the vision, as the excess skin may hinder sight.
In this instance, reconstructive eyelid surgery can be carried out to rectify the issue. The excess skin is removed, reducing sagginess and pulling the skin back from the eyelashes.
3. A traumatic injury
If you have been involved in a car accident, or any other situation which has led to eyelid damage, you may require reconstructive eyelid surgery to fix your injury and restore the use of your eyelid as successfully as possible.
The movement, feeling and physical appearance of your eyelid may have been altered in some way as a result of your injury, and the surgery will rectify these issues and restore function and normal appearance. Surgery usually takes several hours, depending on the method of reconstruction used by your doctor.
4. For aesthetic purposes
For some people, reconstructive eyelid surgery or eyelid removal surgery may be considered as part of a larger series of cosmetic surgeries for purely aesthetic purposes. It is common for eyelid surgery to be carried out alongside fillers, forehead and cheek lifts, and laser surgery.
Surgery is usually intended to give the patient a more youthful appearance, eliminating eyelid-droopiness, crow’s feet, wrinkles, and bags under the eyes. If you are considering cosmetic, reconstructive eyelid surgery, it is not something to jump quickly into. Consider your overall health and well-being, as well as the positive and negative impacts of the surgical procedures you are contemplating.
