How Is Laser Blepharoplasty Different?
Apr 28th, 2010 by admin
If you ever consider having cosmetic eyelid surgery, you will want to weigh these three important factors before you go any further:
- the safety of this procedure
- how long the recovery period will be
- how permanent the effects of the surgery will be
You should also be aware that there is a significant difference between laser eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and traditional eyelid surgery in regard to those factors.
Why traditional eyelid surgery is a poor choice
This procedure may be effective, but it is also outdated, and it involves using a surgical instrument to remove the skin that surrounds the patient’s eyelids. If the incisions are imprecise, heavy bleeding may result, and the doctor’s view will be obscured. In addition, while scarring isn’t inevitable with this technique, it happens often enough to cause concern, and since the recovery period is also lengthy, scarring and bruising may develop near the eyes and nose. In time, the eyes may seem to appear hollow, and additional surgery may be needed to offset this unfortunate side effect.
Why laser eyelid surgery is a better choice
This is a minor, non-invasive surgical procedure that restores the areas surround the eyes and creates an appearance that is both youthful and wrinkle-free. Because of the simplicity of laser eyelid surgery and the advanced technology it involves, it is usually done on an outpatient basis. (This is particularly appealing to patients because the surgery is less expensive and they can be released immediately after having the procedure.) During the surgery, the patient is given a combination of a sedative and local anesthesia, and, as a rule, an incision is made with a precise laser beam under the eyelid, excess tissue, skin, and fat are removed, and there is a minimal amount of bleeding.
While this procedure is relatively new, it is also extremely effective. The surgery is done with a laser beam and, compared to traditional eyelid surgery, the possibility of scarring is greatly reduced because the laser beam is used to cauterize the blood vessels. Since the doctor’s vision is not impeded , the procedure can be completed more quickly, and it is also safer and more effective. During the recovery period, which is much shorter, scarring and bruising may still occur, but the chances of developing either one are greatly reduced.
