About Dermatochalasis
With ageing, the eyelid skin loosens and the fat tissue around the eyes becomes more prominent. Excess skin on the upper lid (dermatochalasis) and bags formed by forward-bulging fat on the lower lid are typical.
These changes are not only a cosmetic concern; advanced upper-lid drooping can narrow the field of vision and cause functional complaints. With well-planned surgery, a younger, fresher and more dynamic appearance is achieved.
What Is Dermatochalasis?
Dermatochalasis is the loss of elasticity and sagging of the upper-eyelid skin. In advanced cases the drooping skin falls over the lashes, covering the upper part of the visual field and leading the person to raise the brows to see.
Under-eye bags are the forward bulging of fat pads as the supporting tissues around the eye loosen, creating a persistently tired, aged expression. Both conditions can be effectively corrected with blepharoplasty surgery.
Symptoms
Prominent complaints in dermatochalasis and under-eye bags:
- Visual-field narrowing: Drooping upper-lid skin covering the upper part of vision.
- Tired and aged appearance: The weary look created by lid sagging and bags.
- Heaviness of the eyelids: Lid fatigue that increases, especially toward the end of the day.
- Swelling (bags) under the eye: A puffy look from prominent fat tissue on the lower lid.
- Raising the brows to see: A habit of constantly using the forehead muscles to open the field of view.
Causes & Risk Factors
Factors contributing to eyelid skin laxity and bagging:
- Ageing: A natural decline in skin elasticity and supporting tissues.
- Genetic predisposition: Early bagging can run in families.
- Sun damage: UV exposure accelerates skin ageing.
- Smoking and lifestyle: Degrade skin quality and increase laxity.
- Fluid-retention tendency and sleep patterns: Fluid retention can make bags more prominent.
Assessment
Surgical planning weighs functional and aesthetic expectations together:
- Lid and brow analysis: Excess skin, brow position and symmetry are assessed.
- Visual-field assessment: Whether the drooping affects vision is determined.
- Fat-tissue assessment: The degree of lower-lid bagging is examined.
- Ocular surface and dryness check: The tear balance is assessed before surgery.
Treatment
Upper Blepharoplasty
Removing the excess skin of the upper lid opens the field of vision and markedly rejuvenates the gaze.
Planning
Excess skin and muscle to be removed are marked along the lid crease.
Procedure
Excess skin and any necessary fat are removed through the natural lid line.
Result
The scar hides in the lid crease; the field opens and the gaze looks younger.
Open, Fresh Gaze
Bag Correction
Contouring the fat tissue of the lower lid removes the bags and eliminates the tired expression.
Assessment
The degree of bagging and skin condition are examined.
Contouring
Prominent fat pads are reduced or repositioned.
Healing
The under-eye smooths out for a more rested appearance.
A Rested Eye Area
Does your gaze look tired?
An upper/lower-lid plan is created together according to functional and aesthetic expectations.