Among the most noticeable signs of facial aging are the changes that occur around the eyes. After years of sun exposure and the expressive movement that occurs after years of facial animation, the changes that occur can create a perpetual appearance of tiredness and fatigue. The upper eyelid develops excess skin laxity that may extend beyond the lash line. In severe cases this skin may even cause visual obstruction. This excess skin of the upper eyelid may also be influenced by the position of the overlying brow. A heavy brow can push the upper eyelid skin down.
Surgical correction of the upper eyelid may be as simple as removing excess skin and fat– a procedure known as an upper blepharoplasty. If the brow requires repositioning for the best result, a concurrent browlift may be recommended.
The lower eyelid, also significantly influenced by aging, can be corrected with a lower blepharoplasty. Where the lower eyelid meets the cheek is an area of particular importance and is termed the ‘lid-cheek junction’. In youth, there is a smooth transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek. As aging occurs this area becomes more demarcated and noticeable. The loss of underlying bone and overlying soft tissue is very evident in the midface or cheek area as we age. In addition to volume loss gravity begins to cause the cheek to descend lower on the face creating facial folds. Both non-surgical and surgical procedures can be used to reverse the signs of aging that occur around the eyes.
