What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty removes excess skin and/or fat in the upper or lower eyelid. Prior to surgery, an eye examination should be performed by Dr. Van Buren. Photography and Visual field testing are recommended to determine whether blepharoplasty would be cosmetic (to improve appearance) or functional (to improve vision). If a person’s vision is limited due to excess upper eyelid skin, insurance may provide coverage.
The surgery is done most commonly under local anesthesia (often with intravenous sedation medication). This procedure performed on an outpatient basis. Bruising and swelling are common following surgery, and application of cold to the surgical sites is generally recommended following surgery. A postoperative visit is often recommended on post op day 1 and 2 weeks.
Dr. Van Buren’s Specific Blepharoplasty Post Operative Instructions
ICE: Ice packs or ice to the sponges help tremendously after eyelid surgery. A bowl of ice cubes and several sponges at the bedside can soothe sore areas during the first 48 hours. Apply cold ice packs or sponges to lids for 20 minutes 6 times a day for the first 2 days. It is more important to sleep than to have ice on your eyelids, so don’t “stay up” in order ice. When you do awaken, apply some ice for a few minutes before going back to sleep.
POSITION: Keeping the head elevated will reduce swelling.
BLEEDING AND CLOTTED BLOOD: If you bleed from one of the suture lines, apply pressure with a sponge for 10 to 20 minutes, and it will almost certainly stop. If dried or clotted blood is stuck to the sutures or along the suture line, we advise gentle cleansing with peroxide or soap and water.
SUTURES: Your sutures will degrade and fall out on their own. Don’t be surprised to see suture debris fall from the incision site 1-2 weeks following surgery.
SUNSCREEN AND MAKEUP: Use a sunscreen with a skin-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on your eyelids when outside, and continue to do so for at least 6 months after surgery. You may apply makeup in addition to sunscreen on your eyelids once you are finished with the post op ointment. Please cover your skin to prevent sunburn with a hat or large sunglasses prior to this time.
ACTIVITIES: Most people feel nearly normal within a day or two after eyelid surgery (except for the eyelid itself). You can return to work as desired, provided your job does not involve any heavy lifting or straining. Do not do aerobic or heavy exercise for at least 3 weeks after surgery in order to avoid excessive swelling or bleeding.
SPECIFIC AS YOU HEAL INFORMATION
PAIN: Blepharoplasty usually causes little, if any, post-operative pain. If you notice significant sharp or dull pain, which persists, notify your physician immediately. If you have significant changes in vision or loss of vision, notify your physician immediately
DRYNESS: After surgery you may notice that your eyes feel drier than normal. This usually subsides in a matter of days to weeks. Until then, use artificial tears to comfort and protect the eye surface.
SENSITIVITY AND VISION: Your eyes may feel sensitive to light for several days and your vision may blur for a week to 10 days. These are common occurrences and should not alarm you.
NUMBNESS: Expected some numbness along lash lines. A normal occurrence, this usually disappears within several weeks.
SWELLING: All swelling will not disappear for several months. During this period, the eyelids will feel heavier and thicker than normal.
SCARS: The scars will become almost invisible when they turn white. This usually happens 4-12 months after surgery.
EYELIDS STICKING TOGETHER: Occasionally, the upper and lower eyelids will stick together the night of surgery. Simply use warm water or clean the lids with a QTip. After the first day, you may wash the lids with mild soap or baby shampoo (prior to applying ointment).
Blepharitis
What is blepharitis?
Close-up of oily particles and bacteria near the base of the eyelashes.Blepharitis is an ongoing inflammation (swelling) of the eyelids. Both the upper and lower eyelids become coated with oily particles and bacteria near the base of the eyelashes. This common condition may cause irritation, itchiness, redness, and stinging or burning of the eye.
What are the symptoms of blepharitis?
Symptoms include:
Eye and eyelid irritation;
Itchiness of the eye;
Redness of the eye and burning sensation.
Who is at risk for blepharitis?
Blepharitis frequently occurs in people who have a tendency toward oily skin, dandruff or dry eyes. This condition also is associated with meibomianitis — a problem of the nearby oil glands of the eyelids (called meibomian glands).
What causes blepharitis?
Everyone has bacteria on the surface of their skin, but in some people, bacteria thrive in the skin at the base of the eyelashes. Large amounts of bacteria around the eyelashes can cause dandruff-like scales and particles to form along the lashes and eyelid margins.
How is blepharitis diagnosed?
Close-up of eye with blepharitis, which shows redness and irritation.A close examination of your eyelids and eyelashes by Dr’s M and VB is usually all that is needed to diagnose blepharitis. Dr’s M and VB may test your vision, perform a slit-lamp microscope exam, and test your eye pressure as well.
How is blepharitis treated?
Blepharitis is often a chronic, or ongoing, condition, but it can be controlled with the following treatment:
WARM COMPRESSES: Wet a clean washcloth with warm water, wring it out, and place it over your closed eyelids for at least one minute. Repeat two or three times, rewetting the washcloth as it cools. This will loosen scales and debris around your eyelashes. It also helps break down oil from nearby oil glands. This prevents development of a chalazion (pronounced kuh-LAY-zee-un) — an enlarged lump caused by clogged oil secretions in the eyelid.
EYELID SCRUBS: Using a clean washcloth, cotton swab or commercial lint-free pad soaked in warm water, gently scrub the base of your eyelashes for about 15 seconds per eyelid.
ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT: Your ophthalmologist may prescribe an antibiotic ointment. Using a clean fingertip or cotton swab, gently apply a small amount at the base of the eyelashes before bedtime. Artificial tears or steroid eyedrops may also be prescribed temporarily to relieve dry eye or inflammation. A new antibiotic drop that also helps improve the oil secretions of the meibomian glands may be prescribed by Dr. Van Buren.
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY: Research suggests that a lack of certain nutrients may contribute to meibomian gland blepharitis. An imbalance of omega fatty acids has been found to cause abnormal secretions of the oil glands that help lubricate your eyes. Ask your ophthalmologist about a proper diet and nutritional supplements to help treat this imbalance.
GOOD HYGIENE: Because blepharitis can be an ongoing problem, you should regularly clean your skin and eyelids to keep blepharitis from returning. In addition to carefully cleansing your eyelashes, you can also wash your hair, scalp and eyebrows with antibacterial shampoo to help control blepharitis.
Chalazion Treatments
What are the symptoms of chalazia and styes?
About 25 percent of chalazia have no symptoms and will go away without any treatment. Sometimes, however, a chalazion may become red, swollen and tender. A larger chalazion may also cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of the eye. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.
Symptoms of a stye include:
A red bump along the edge of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes;
A feeling as if something is in your eye;
Sensitivity to light;
Eyelid tenderness;
Tearing.
Styes typically heal without any treatment.
Who is at risk for chalazia or styes?
Anyone can develop a chalazion or stye. If you have blepharitis — chronic inflammation of the upper and lower eyelids which become coated with oily particles and bacteria near the base of the eyelashes — you may be more likely to get a chalazion or stye.
What causes chalazia and styes?
A chalazion is caused when the opening of an oil-producing gland in the eyelid called the meibomian gland gets clogged with oil and becomes enlarged.
Styes often are caused by infected eyelash follicles.
How are chalazia and styes diagnose
Phoenix Ophthalmologists can diagnose a chalazia or stye by carefully examining your eyelid.
How are chalazia and styes treated?
It is important not to squeeze or try to “pop” a chalazion or stye. Symptoms of a chalazion or stye are treated with one or more of the following methods:
WARM COMPRESSES: Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and apply the cloth to the lid for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day until the chalazion or stye is gone. You should repeatedly soak the cloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat. With a chalazion, when the clogged gland opens, you may notice increased discharge from the eye. This should improve.
ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS: An antibiotic ointment may be prescribed if bacteria infect a chalazion, or if a stye does not improve after treatment with warm compresses or if it keeps coming back.
STEROID INJECTIONS: A steroid (cortisone) injection is sometimes used to reduce swelling of a chalazion.
SURGICAL REMOVAL: If a large chalazion or stye does not heal after other treatments or if it affects your vision, Dr’s M and VB may need to drain it in surgery. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia in your ophthalmologist’s office.
Chalazia and styes usually respond well to treatment, although some people tend to have them recur. If a chalazion comes back in the same place, your ophthalmologist may suggest a biopsy (where a tiny piece of tissue is surgically removed and studied) to rule out more serious problems.