What are the different types of cosmetic eye surgery?
Why have cosmetic eye surgery?
Did you know that we offer more than just vision correction surgery here at Optimax? On top of laser eye surgery, lens replacement surgery (including cataract removal), and implantable contact lenses, we also perform cosmetic eye surgery. The two types we offer are blepharoplasty and eyelid surgery. Patients will approach us to enquire about cosmetic eye surgery for three main reasons:
- To boost their confidence
- To reduce discomfort levels
- To improve their vision
Some patients will have developed insecurities around the appearance of their eye area, whether that’s related to noticeable eye bags, excess skin, or lumps and bumps around the eyes. They seek cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of the area, feel more confident, and achieve a more youthful look.
Other patients find that lumps and bumps, such a chalazia, cause them discomfort, particularly as the skin around the eyes is more delicate than skin elsewhere. Sometimes, these lumps can rub against the eye increasingly as they grow, becoming more uncomfortable over days or weeks. Surgery to remove these types of growths not only improves the appearance, but also eliminates any discomfort the patient feels.
As you age, the skin around your eyes loses its elasticity, therefore leading to excess skin or bagginess in the area. This can occur both under the eye, forming eye bags, or above the eye, resulting skin pushing down onto the eyelids. Patients who experience more excess skin than usual above the eye can find that this pushes their eyelids partway closed, not only causing discomfort but also affecting their vision. Surgery to remove the excess skin is a solution to this which we offer at Optimax.
What is blepharoplasty surgery?
Blepharoplasty surgery involves the removal of excess skin, fat and muscle from around the eyes. With age, the muscles underneath your eyes weaken, causing the skin to stretch and lose elasticity. This can result in your eyes having a sunken appearance with hooded lids, and also sometimes puffiness both above and below the eye. Some people may also experience wrinkles due to the excess skin and, for anybody who feels self-conscious about this, blepharoplasty is a great option.
The surgery itself usually takes between 1-2 hours to perform, and this will vary depending on whether you have just your upper or lower lid treated, or both at once. The length of surgery also depends on how much skin is being removed by the surgeon. To prevent discomfort, the procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic while the surgeon carefully removes any excess skin, fat and muscle from the areas you wish to be treated. This results in a brighter, more youthful appearance and our patients tell us it gives them their confidence back.
The cost of blepharoplasty surgery starts at £4,000 but, much like the length of the treatment, this can vary according to which parts of your eye require treatment, and how extensive the treatment is likely to be. You can give us a call on 0800 093 1110 or email enquiry@optimax.co.uk to speak to one of our friendly advisors for further information on blepharoplasty surgery.
What is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is the second type of cosmetic eye surgery we offer at Optimax. However, it usually concerns the removal of lumps and bumps on and around the eyelids, rather than removal of skin and fat as in a blepharoplasty. Lumps and bumps can form on the eyelids due to a buildup of bacteria clogging the oil glands. These bumps can sometimes dissipate and go away on their own, but on other occasions they are more stubborn and require surgical removal.
We previously touched on these bumps causing discomfort, and this is especially true if they grow on the edge of the eyelid. With every blink they can rub against the eye, leading to irritation, redness and watery eyes. In these cases, removal goes far beyond simply a cosmetic purpose and is instead required to restore unimpeded vision.
Thankfully, eyelid surgery is a very simple procedure which can be completed in around 20 minutes. It’s performed under local anaesthetic and the surgeon will simply make a small incision in order to extract the lump or bump, before cleaning and sealing the wound. The cost of this surgery starts from £695 but a consultation will be required in order to determine the final price and your individual treatment plan.
If you have any questions regarding eyelid surgery, please don’t hesitate to call us on 0800 093 1110 or email our customer advisors.
Standard consultations in our clinics are for refractive treatments, such as laser or lens surgeries. A consultation for cosmetic eye surgery will require an appointment with your surgeon to discuss your options. Please call or email us to make a booking.
