From as early as the age of 30 onwards, the eyelids may become slacker. This can make a person appear tired or even unfriendly. The area of vision may also become restricted. During eyelid correction, carried out under local anaesthesia twilight sedation, excess skin, fat or muscle is removed.  The necessary incisons are placed with a radio-wave scalpel, thus reducing swelling and discolouration to a minimum. Most patients are able to resume normal social activities after one week.

Upper eyelid surgery can improve two common problem areas: 1.) excess skin on the upper eyelid itself, often called “hooding of the upper lid", and 2.) puffiness in the inner corner and middle of the upper eyelid caused by herniation (pushing forward) of fat. The hooding of the upper eyelid can obstruct your vision, so its removal could actually improve the quality of your peripheral vision. Puffiness in the upper eyelid can cause patients to look old and tired; and upper eyelid surgery can create a more alert and younger appearance. Upper eyelid surgery can enhance the shape, position, and depth of the eyelid crease.

Puffy lower eyelids or "bags under the eyes" may develop when the skin and muscles in the region of the lower eyelids become slack and the fat under the eye sockets bulges or fills with lymph. If there is no excess skin, an external incision is not necessary. In this case the protruding fat can be removed from the inside of the eyelids. Otherwise, an incision is made just below the edge of the lid. After only a few weeks the incision is practically invisible.  Correction of the lower eyelids is carried out under local anesthesia and twilight sedation and we recommend an overnight stay in our clinic. Particularly good results can be obtained if the correction  to the lower eyelids is carried out in combination with a facelift or temple lift.

Slack lower eyelids and bulging pockets of fat  (tear sacs) give the face a particularly tired and tense expression. Environmental influences, such as smoking or intensive sunbathing, can further accelerate the signs of aging under the eyes. In a correction of the lower eyelids, the surplus skin and fat is removed and the muscles tightened. Especially good results can be attained if the correction to the lower eyelids is combined with a facelift or temple lift. Most patients are able to resume normal social activities after one week.

• Glossary