Double eyelid surgery is, also known as Asian Blepharoplasty, a specific type of eyelid surgery which defines or creates an upper eyelid crease for a more open and attractive eye shape. Asian blepharoplasty surgery needs special training and experience with Asian eyelid anatomy. Dr Deniz Kanliada has been focusing on Asian faces for the last 8 years and he has been trained in Asia, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia specifically for Asian blepharoplasty.

Asian Double eye lid surgery mainly has 2 types:

• Incisional (with a cut) Blepharoplasty
• Non-incisional (no scar) Blepharoplasty

Recommendations to discuss before the procedure

• Which type of upper blepharoplasty is ideal for you?
• What are your expectations?
• Your medical history, including pre-existing conditions, prescription medications, and known allergies
• What type of anaesthesia will be used
• Risks
• Recovery
• Aftercare

Incisional blepharoplasty

• An ideal crease will be carefully measured and marked with a pen.
• Incisional blepharoplasty can be performed under local anaesthesia, sedation and under general anaesthesia.
• Starts with an incision on the upper eyelid.
• Excess skin, some muscle and fat tissue will be removed, and creases will be defined with sutures.
• Incisions will be closed with stitches that will need to be removed 5-7 days after surgery.
• Recovery is 3-4 weeks
• Results are permanent until you age to have more severe excess skin

The incisional technique may be a good option if you have excess skin, puffiness, or thick skin and if you are looking for a permanent result.

Some potential risks are:

• allergic reaction to anaesthesia
• bleeding
• infection
• temporary or permanent changes to vision, blurry vision
• visible scarring
• asymmetry
• ptosis (a drop of the eyelid)

Non-incisional blepharoplasty:

With this technique, a double eyelid can also be created without an incision by using a buried invisible suture in the upper eyelid.

• The upper eyelid will be carefully measured and marked. Then, a series of tiny punctures are made in the skin along the line.
• Sutures are placed through the punctures and tightened until they form the desired crease. The sutures will remain beneath the skin, out of sight. You won’t have to return to have them removed.
• Non-incisional blepharoplasty is reversible and there will be no scarring.
• Results last for a long time
• Recovery is 1-2 weeks

The non-incisional technique may be a good option if you want to create or enhance your crease and if you don’t need extra skin and fat removed. Young Asian patients usually prefer trying Non-incisional double eyelid surgery before they are older and have excess skin.

Some potential risks are:

• asymmetry or loosening of the double fold
• blurry vision
• irritation from the sutures
• infection
• reaction to the buried stitch

Recovery Period

Symptoms like pain, irritation, swelling, and bruising are temporary. Here are some tips to relieve irritated eyes:

• Use cold compresses as recommended by your doctor usually every hour 10 minutes first 3 days is important.
• Apply lubricating ointment or any other prescribed medications.
• Wear sunglasses when outside until you’re fully healed.
• Avoid exercising, swimming, and saunas for 2 weeks
• Avoid scratching your eyes for 5-7 days

For either procedure, follow your surgeon’s discharge instructions. Antibiotics may be prescribed to protect against infection. Take them all, even if you feel fully healed. Be sure to report any signs of infection or post-op side effects immediately.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SURGERY IS IDEAL FOR ME?
   1. If you are young, you don’t have thick excess skin on the eyelid and you don’t want to have a cut Non-incisional blepharoplasty is ideal
   2. If you are older with excess skin, and puffiness on the upper eyelid incisional blepharoplasty is ideal
   3. Your surgeon will examine and decide which double eyelid surgery is better for your eyes
2. IS IT A PAINFUL SURGERY, DO I NEED FULL ANAESTHESIA?
   1. Both incisional and non-incisional blepharoplasty can be done under local anaesthesia
   2. First 2 days minimal pain is expected and painkillers like paracetamol and applying ice can well control the minimal pain
3. DO I NEED ANY BANDAGES AFTER THE SURGERY?
   1. For both surgeries only sterile strips are used on the eyelids, there is no additional dressing
4. HOW SOON I CAN WEAR MY GLASSES OR CONTACT LENSES?
   1. Glasses can be worn immediately after the surgery if needed
   2. Contact lenses should be avoided for 3 weeks after the surgery
5. HOW SOON I CAN SHOWER OR WASH MY FACE or PUT EYE MAKE-UP ON?
   1. You should avoid shower the first 24 hours
   2. Avoid any shampoos or soaps on the eye first week
   3. Avoid any eye make-up for 2 weeks
6. CAN I REPEAT THE NON-INCISIONAL BLEPHAROPLASTY IF I DON’T LIKE THE RESULTS
   1. Sutures can be removed and replaced to improve results