Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Charlotte, NC

• Blepharoplasty rejuvenates eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and tissue from upper and/or lower eyelids.
• Dr. Vincent Voci, a Charlotte plastic surgeon, utilizes a transconjunctival approach for lower eyelid fat removal, minimizing visible scarring.
• Upper eyelid work usually involves an incision in the crease to reduce scarring.
• Upper and lower lids are often treated simultaneously for comprehensive rejuvenation.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, effectively rejuvenates the eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and tissue from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Dr. Vincent Voci, a Charlotte plastic surgeon, employs a transconjunctival approach for lower eyelid fat removal, eliminating visible scarring. Upper eyelid work typically involves an incision in the crease to minimize scarring. While upper and lower lids can be treated separately, they are often addressed simultaneously for comprehensive rejuvenation.

During upper eyelid surgery, an incision is made within the natural fold of the lid and extended outward. The incision will go out as wide as possible so that additional skin folds on the outside of the upper eye can also be addressed. Once the incision is made, excess skin, tissue and, in some cases, a small portion of the orbicularis occuli muscle are removed. The incision is closed with absorbable sutures and the scar remains almost completely hidden because of where it resides in the natural crease.

During lower eyelid surgery, an incision is made along the bottom of the lash line. This allows the surgeon to remove excess fat and tissue. In patients who have puffy lower eyelids but good skin tone, an approach known as a transconjunctival blepharoplasty can be performed. This technique puts the incision inside the lower eyelid rather than outside. Patients who have dark circles under their eyes will sometimes have a deficiency of fat in these areas. Injectables can be used to help fill these soft-tissue deficiencies and can improve the appearance of these circles.  

After surgery, scarring will not be visible because of where the incisions are placed. In the upper eyelid, the incision follows the natural crease of the eye. The lower eyelid incision will run just under the eyelashes or inside the eyelid. Scarring will be inconspicuous.

Eyelid surgery will reduce puffy bags and excess skin and may help contribute to some minimization of crow’s feet. However, to truly treat crow’s feet, one will need a different approach. BOTOX® injections and procedures such as a browlift, are better options to help eliminate crow’s feet.

Some patients will experience dryness and minimal irritation following surgery. If these occur, we can recommend ointments and eye drops to assist during the healing phase. Patients should protect their eyes against wind and sun irritation for the first several months by wearing dark sunglasses.

If anything, eyelid surgery actually helps improve the vision for many patients. Not only does it restore a fresh, younger look from a cosmetic standpoint, it eliminates the excess skin that may have been impairing vision. It is important to select a skilled surgeon who has expertise with eyelid surgery. We take great care during this surgery so that the eyes themselves are left untouched and unharmed.