Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Surgery to remove excess fat and loose, wrinkled skin from the upper and lower eyelids is known as blepharoplasty. It is the most common cosmetic procedure performed by ophthalmologists, who are surgical specialists for the eyes.

Blepharoplasty will brighten the face and restore a more youthful appearance. In many patients, the procedure will improve vision by removing the excessive skin of the upper eyelids which can hang down like heavy hoods and interfere with peripheral vision, or weigh the lids down during reading.

Eyelid surgery is usually performed using local anesthesia and light intravenous sedation. The procedure is performed in an outpatient surgical center with a same-day return to home.

Botox

Botox is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for the most common signal of aging…wrinkles! Botox is a purified protein which works to relax dynamic facial lines – those expression lines that become more pronounced when you smile or frown – such as frown creases and brow furrows.

Botox can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between your brows for up to 4 months. Commonly treated areas include the forehead, brow lines and outer eye area. Treatment is quick and painless and there’s virtually no recovery time. You’ll see results the next day.

Excessive or Constant Tearing (Epiphoria)

Lubricating tears keep the eye healthy and vision fresh. In some people, tears well up in the eye too often and at inconvenient times because the tears are not draining properly.  Excess tears can spray onto glasses during each blink and can overflow onto the cheek creating a constant mess, sometimes even irritating the skin.

When functioning properly, tears enter a small opening in each eye lid (the punctum) and drain through a small canal (canaliculus) down into the nose. Improper tear drainage and overflow tearing can have several causes, including:

• Malposition of the eyelids or punctum
• Weak or faulty blinking
• Old or recurrent eyelid infections
• Injury to the nose or face

Sometimes, even dry eyes can cause tearing as a reflex from an eye desperate for more moisture. A thorough examination is necessary to determine the reason for the excess tearing. Treatment depends on the exact cause, but only an ophthalmologist can repair an eyelid or correct a drainage problem.

If the tear drainage system is blocked, surgery to open or bypass the blockage is necessary. This surgery, known as dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR, restores flow back into the nose from the tear sac, and is performed under general anesthesia.

Other Cosmetic Services

Dr. Liegner also performs other cosmetic procedures including plastic surgery of the eyelids, repairing loose eyelids, and coordinated reconstruction care for tumors of the eyelid.