More than any other facial feature, your eyes reveal the most about how you feel. When your eyes are bright and alert, you appear energized, well-rested, and in control. However, if you have lower eyelid puffiness, dark circles or drooping upper lids, others may assume that you are fatigued, angry or unhappy. If you believe that your eyes are making you look tired, sad, or older than you really feel, cosmetic eyelid surgery , also called blepharoplasty, may be the right choice for you. Eye lid surgery can remove the excess fat and drooping skin of the upper eyelids, minimize bags under the eyes, and tighten the lower eyelid skin. The result is a more alert and rested appearance.

Is cosmetic eyelid surgery right for me?
Eyelid surgery is performed on men and women of all ages who want to improve their self-image. Most people have eyelid surgery to minimize the effects of aging. However, many people in their 20s or 30s may also benefit from the procedure. You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you have any of the following conditions:

Upper Eyelids
• Excess skin that hides the natural fold of the upper eyelids
• Loose skin that hangs down from the upper eyelids
• Puffiness in the upper eyelids that creates a tired look

Lower Eyelids
• Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids
• Puffy "bags" and, in some cases, dark circles

Eyelid surgery needs to be approached with extra caution if you have any of the following medical conditions:
• Thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism or Grave's disease
• Lower eyelids that droop significantly and reveal the white beneath the iris (the eye's colored portion)
• Eye problems such as "dry eye," a detached retina or glaucoma
• High blood pressure or other circulatory disorders
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes

How is cosmetic eyelid surgery performed?
The specific method used for your eyelid surgery will be determined by your features and your surgeon's preferences.

Upper Eyelids
Typically, the incision begins within the natural crease of the eye's inside corner and extends slightly beyond the outside corner into the crow's feet or laugh lines. Throughout this incision, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. The incision line follows the natural contour of the upper eye lid, and is camouflaged when healed.

Lower Eyelids
Usually the incision is concealed just below the lower lashes. Throughout this incision, excess skin, muscle and fat are removed. Your surgeon may also make special adjustments. For example, the fat beneath the eye can be redistributed to eliminate puffiness or bulges. In some patients, the underlying muscle will be tightened.
Your surgeon may decide that the best approach for removing fat from the lower eyelid is with a transconjuctional blepharoplasty. In this procedure, an incision is placed inside the lower eyelid. This technique requires no external incision, but it cannot be used to remove excess skin. Laser resurfacing or chemical peel is sometimes used in conjunction with this procedure to minimize fine wrinkles near the eyes.