Puffy eyes caused by excess fat or loose skin on the lower eyelids often cause disruptions in a person’s life. They may be perfectly healthy otherwise, but the appearance of puffy eyes causes a lot of misconceptions in how the person is perceived. They may appear tired or ill, or appear to have missed sleep. This in turn can have a negative impact on the patient’s health, lifestyle, and professional and personal life.
Puffy Eye Issues
The major problem for patients is the accumulation of excess fat on the lower eyelids. While it is natural for some amount of fat to be present in this area, often extra fat accumulates and causes a puffy appearance. Sometimes, loose skin around the eyes is also a problem.
While many people associate puffy eyes with aging, the problem can occur even in young people. This can cause loss of self-esteem and other issues.
Puffy eyes early in the morning are a common problem. Often, people wake up from sleep to find their eyes taking on a swollen appearance. This can be due to accumulation of fluid during sleep. The area underneath the eyes is filled with fluid, and this tends to collect in one spot as the person lies down.
In some cases, this puffiness can be treated through cold compresses and tends to dissipate over the course of the day as blood circulation and other factors help in dispersing the fluid.
People who have chronic puffy eyes, however, lack this natural corrective mechanism of the body. Their skin is loose and the tissue under the eyes is not firm, and this can cause a permanently puffy appearance of the eyelids.
Treatment with Lower Blepharoplasty
A surgery for removing excess fat from under the lower eyelids is the ideal solution for puffy eyes. Sometimes, the surgeon may also need to remove excess skin from under the eyelid to offer the best results. This can also involve tightening the loose muscles of the lower eyelid for a smooth, firm appearance.
This surgery is known as lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid surgery. Depending on the extent of tissue removal needed, the surgeon may use varied surgical techniques. The placement of the incision used depends on factors such as amount of tissue to be removed. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure to be followed in your case during a surgical consultation.
Good Candidates
During the consultation process, the surgeon will ask you some questions to assess if you are a good candidate for lower blepharoplasty. You are typically required to be in a good state of health, as diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as eye problems, can make surgery risky.
Your Consultation
Blepharoplasty is a reliable method for treating puffy eyes caused by loose skin and muscles and excess fat in the lower eyelids. In the hands of the capable surgeon, surgical treatment for puffy eyelids is quite safe and effective.
Discuss your aesthetic needs and goals with double-board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer during a lower blepharoplasty consultation. To schedule your consultation, get in contact with our office.
