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Medical Eyelid Procedures

What Types of Medical Eyelid Procedures are Offered at Virginia Eye Center?

At Virginia Eye Center, our eye doctors are dedicated to providing exceptional care. A medical eyelid procedure is a procedure that aims to improve the function of the eye, e.g. the vision, as well as the cosmetic appearance.

Medical Blepharoplasty

A medical blepharoplasty is a procedure that can help improve droopy eyelids. In some cases, drooping eyelids can interfere with your peripheral vision. In more severe cases, drooping lids can affect your central vision. A medical blepharoplasty is different from a cosmetic blepharoplasty in that the goal of the medical blepharoplasty is not only cosmetic. It is performed because the droopy eyelids are interfering with the patient’s vision and is designed to improve the visual function of the patient.

You will schedule a medical blepharoplasty as an out-patient procedure at the surgical center. During the procedure, your eye doctor will numb your eyelids. Next, they will make an incision in your eyelids and remove any excess skin or fat. After the excess skin and fat are removed, they will close the incision with sutures. You will need to take some time to recover and visit your eye doctor regularly to ensure you are healing appropriately.

Trichiasis

Trichiasis is a common eyelid condition where your eyelashes are misdirected or abnormally positioned. This eye condition can cause your eyelashes to grow inward toward your eye. Those inward-turning lashes rub against the cornea, the clear dome at the front of your eye, and cause irritation and discomfort. If left untreated, this eye condition can cause vision issues. 

Trichiasis treatment involves removing the eyelash, follicle, or both. This procedure is often performed in-office. If you have many lashes growing towards your eye, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them permanently.

Chalazion

A chalazion is a small lump that forms at the edge of your eyelid. Typically, this is caused by a blocked oil gland on the eyelids. 

A chalazion can cause your eyelid to be red, inflamed, and uncomfortable. Typically, your eye doctor will recommend using warm compresses and massage as the first treatment method to help reduce swelling and encourage healing. When a chalazion does not resolve with at-home treatments, your eye doctor may drain the chalazion and inject a steroid to speed up the healing process. Your eye doctor will also instruct you on specific things you can do to prevent a chalazion. For example, you should be sure to always thoroughly wash your hands, frequent face washing, and perform proper makeup hygiene.

Internal Browpexy

During an internal browpexy, your eye surgeon will use internal sutures to attach the brow to a higher position. Since these sutures are internal, they will be dissolvable. This means that the sutures will disappear, normally after a period of about three months. An internal browpexy can help raise your eyebrows, so it sits in a slightly higher position on your face.  

Typically, an internal browpexy will only lift the central and lateral part of the brows, which is toward your temples. For this reason, it is often only recommended to patients with mild eyebrows drooping.

A good candidate for an internal browpexy is someone who is already having a blepharoplasty or other eyelid surgery and someone who has mild to moderate eyelid or brow drooping. During an internal browpexy, your eye doctor will create an incision in the crease of your eyelid. Next, they will secure your eyebrow to the lining of your eyebrow bone. This procedure is outpatient, meaning you will get to go home the same day.

Mullerectomy

A mullerectomy is another eyelid procedure performed to help improve the positioning of droopy eyelids. During a mullerectomy, your eye doctor will remove a part of the Muller’s muscle and the underlying conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the clear tissue covering the white part of your eye. Since the incision made for a mullerectomy is on the back surface of the eyelid, you will likely experience reduced swelling and bruising.

A mullerectomy is an outpatient procedure and you will go home the same day. Good candidates for a mullerectomy have mild to moderate lid drooping and have reasonable expectations for the results of the procedure.

Lid Lesion Excision

In most cases, treatment is not necessary for eyelid lesions or growths. However, your eye doctor may recommend a biopsy to determine whether or not further treatment is necessary. You may want the lesion removed for cosmetic reasons, or it may interfere with your vision. For these reasons, your eye doctor may perform a lid lesion excision.

Lid lesion excisions are very common. Prior to biopsy or excision, your eye doctor will ask you detailed questions about the lesion, for example, if it has changed in size or shape since it first appeared.

First, your eye doctor will numb the area of your eyelid where the lesion is. Next, they will remove a portion or all of the lesion. Depending on the size of the lesion, you may need to wear an eye patch for some time after the procedure. If the lesion is sent to be biopsied, your eye doctor will update you when the results return.

You may be slightly bruised and swollen the day after the procedure. However, these symptoms will resolve within a few days.

Are you interested in learning more about the medical cosmetic procedures available? Schedule an appointment at Virginia Eye Center in Leesburg, VA, today!

Medical Eyelid Procedures Specialist

Virginia Eye Center

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