Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) is a surgical technique used to improve the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids. In the upper eyelid, excessive skin can produce large folds that if extreme can actually compromise the line-of-sight. There may also be bulging of orbital fat pads producing a puffy look. In the lower eyelid, bulging fat pads are usually the main problem.

In laser blepharoplasty, the CO2 laser is used as a surgical instrument in place of the traditional scalpel blade. The laser method is more precise and is safer because the laser beam seals blood vessels as it cuts through tissue. The bloodless field enables easier identification of important anatomic features. In most of Dr. Langdon's cases there is no bruising at all after laser blepharoplasty. In contrast, traditional scalpel blepharoplasties usually result in extensive bruising that may take more than a week to resolve.

For the lower lids, Dr. Langdon uses the transconjunctival approach, which avoids any incisions through the skin. The fat pads lie close to the inner surface of the eyelid, and thus can be eliminated without a risk of causing a scar on the skin's surface. Fortunately, excessive skin of the lower lid usually shrinks after a blepharoplasty, and does not require surgical removal. If tiny surface wrinkles remain, they can safely be removed subsequently with laser resurfacing, which is usually needed as well to remove the crows feet wrinkles on the temples.

Please take a look at some of Dr. Langdon's actual patients before and after laser blepharoplasty. Just click on an image to see a larger view.

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