Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty (surgery on the eyelids) is a common procedure for both men and women. It can be either a cosmetic, elective procedure to restore a more youthful and less tired appearance, or performed to address reduced vision from sagging or drooping eyelids, which tend to occur with increasing age. An eyelid lift may be done alone or in combination with other surgeries, such as a brow lift or facelift. Blepharoplasty is performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The surgeon makes tiny cuts into the natural folds of the eyelids to remove loose skin and extra fat tissue and tightens the eyelid muscles. Eyelid surgery will not remove wrinkles around the eyes, lift sagging eyebrows, or get rid of dark circles under the eyes. The eyelids will be covered with ointment and bandaged, and they may feel uncomfortable and sore as the numbing medicine wears off.

UAB Ophthalmology has more than two dozen physicians, many of them named among the top doctors in their fields nationally. Our ophthalmologists who perform cosmetic eye surgery have received additional training in plastic surgery and are experts in conditions and treatments of the delicate eye area. They are renowned for their advances in eye care, breaking through old ways of treating blinding eye diseases and revolutionizing many areas of ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology care at UAB is located in UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye, one of the busiest eye hospitals in the country, where specialists work together to treat complex cases. The UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye surgical suite houses 17 operating rooms dedicated to eye surgery as well as the region’s only freestanding 24/7 dedicated eye emergency department. More than 15,000 surgeries are performed at UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye each year, and we conduct more reconstructive eye surgeries than any other facility in the world. Patients come from around the nation to be treated for eye conditions at UAB. Through ongoing research and clinical trials, UAB continues to make great strides in the field of ophthalmology. In addition to our physicians, we have a team of vision scientists who are fully dedicated to researching causes, preventions, and cures for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Many UAB ophthalmologists have received funding from prestigious research organizations and institutions and collaborate in clinical care to deliver the latest in scientific discovery to our patients. 

Videos

Resources

• The Facts About Diabetic Disease
• UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye
• UAB Department of Ophthalmology
• Get Eye Smart
• National Eye Institute

Related Specialties

• Ptosis