Dermatochalasis
What is dermatochalasis?
It is a process associated with aging characterized by sagging upper eyelid skin, producing the same redundancy that can reach the edge of the eyelashes.
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Why does it originate?
It is caused by the normal loss of elasticity and stretching of the skin located in the upper lids that occurs with age.
Other factors associated with lifestyle habits such as smoking, obesity and genetic factors may increase this otherwise normal process.
What are the symptoms?
The redundant skin can cause a feeling of heaviness in the eyelids in addition to pushing them down resulting in a descent known as ptosis. This causes an aging appearance.
The subsequent visual field restriction and changes in astigmatismo may result in impaired visual acuity.
Sometimes the excess weight may cause abnormal blinking, which may exacerbate symptoms such as lacrimation, conjunctival irritation and redness.
This condition may be associated with the occurrence of fat pouches. These bags are hernias protruding orbital fat in the eyelid accentuating the symptoms of the dermatochalasis.
How is dermatochalasis treated?
The only treatment that solves the problem is surgery.
This is done removing the redundant skin, using a technique known as Blepharoplasty.
In this technique an attempt is made to remove skin and the immediately underlying orbicularis muscle.
Sometimes further removal of redundant fat may be necessary. This is known as Blepharoplasty with lipectomy.
Dermatochalasis surgery is performed under local anesthesia. A local anesthetic is infiltrated under the skin prior to tissue removal.
Previously, pictures of the eyelids are taken and the area is painted with a marker. The design of the surgery is highly variable in people and even in each eye.
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The time of the surgery is approximately 15 to 20 minutes per eye.
The patient needs a suture which is removed after a week.
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| Extraction of skin. Orbicular muscle is observed. |
The most common side effect is hematoma, which varies from person to person, andi s influenced by factors such as drug use, smoking and age.
The patient should apply compression to the eyelids with ice, for at least 48 hours after surgery. Postoperative care
It is imperative that the patient leaves with dressing occluder eyelids, that way vision is not penalized.
The time evolution of scars varies. Generally after months they almost unnoticeable. In any case the scar will always remain hidden in the sulcus.
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| Pre | 24h | 1 week | |||
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| 3 weeks | 3 months | ||||
| Images. Dermatochalasis surgery evolution. Blepharoplasty without lipectomy | |||||
