Facial paralysis (such as Bell’s palsy) often leads to many problems with the eyes and eyelids such as: dry eye, ectropion, eyelid retraction, eyelid paralysis and ocular irritation.  Fixing paralyzed eyelids is a complex surgical process that requires an eyelid specialist (oculoplastic surgeon or ophthalmic plastic surgeon).  More importantly making the eyelids look and work correctly and appear normal aesthetically is the real challenge.  This requires a surgeon with significant experience with facial paralysis and eyelid paralysis and one who has extensive...

To properly rejuvenate the lower lids, the midface (cheeks) must often be addressed.  This is because the lower lids and midface (cheeks) are a continuous structure.  As there is typically a depression between the lower lid and the midface (referred to as the tear trough), combining lower lid and midface lifting can smooth this transition (get rid of depression or dark circle). The patient below had puffy lower lids (marked as fat by arrow) and a depression at the lid cheek interface (tear rough).  She had fat transposed to the depression (tear trough) and the...

Cosmetic Surgeons have come to understand that augmenting the lower lids with fat is an important part of aesthetic lower lid blepharoplasty.  Often time’s traditional lower lid blepharoplasty has led to a sunken or hollowed appearance with a characteristic depression at the lid/cheek junction (what is often referred to as dark circles).  This leads to a tired and aged appearance – not to a restoration of youth. Eyelid fat transfer can consist of lower blepharoplasty (true eyelid surgery) with movement of existing eyelid fat to areas of depression (hollows). ...

The area where the upper and lower lids meet is called the canthus.  This area near the nose is called the medial canthus and the same area on the outer eyelids is called the lateral canthus.  Webs (abnormal folds of skin) can occur in both areas and are referred to as medial and lateral canthal webs.  These webs create both functional and aesthetic problems and are VERY DIFFICULT TO ELIMINATE.  However, like any scar, they can be improved surgically. To correct a canthal web requires a combination of many small procedures.  These procedures include a...

The loss of an eye (anophthalmia) is a very traumatic psychological event.  After an eye is removed a false eye (prosthetic eye) is placed for appearance and function.  Even when this goes well, eyelid ectropion, socket problems, and ptosis can occur.  This often leaves the patient concerned and depressed.  The loss of the eye is enough hardship –making the prosthetic (false) eye look natural is important. There is no reason to be unhappy with your appearance if you have a prosthetic eye.  There is no reason a prosthetic eye cannot be made to look better. ...

An ectropion (out-turning lid) can occur after blepharoplasty.  This can lead to an impairment in appearance and vision.  In addition, ocular pain and irritation and tearing can occur.  When an ectropion occurs after blepharoplasty surgery an expert in revision eyelid surgery is needed to correct the problem.  Eyelid surgery experts are called oculoplastic or ophthalmic plastic surgeons.   These are eye trained cosmetic facial/eyelid surgeons.  They are certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery http://www.asoprs.org. ...

Lower Blepharoplasty surgery traditionally consisted of the excision of fat from the lower eyelids (eyelid bags).  Over the last decade we have learned that preserving fat with fat grafting to the eyelids, or repositioning one’s own eyelid fat (lower lid blepharoplasty with fat repositioning) is a better option as it prevents postoperative eyelids hollows.  Fat repositioning is an advanced eyelid technique which yields excellent results to surgery.  Dr. Guy Massry, a cosmetic eyelid specialist in Beverly Hills performs many of these procedures every month.  He...

Often times after lower lid blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) the lower lids can slant too much as they meet the outer corner where the upper and lower eyelid meet.  This can result in a “Cat Eye” look, or simply “Slanted Eyes.” Slanted eyes can be a great bother to patients as it changes their appearance drastically.  In addition slanted eyes can impart a smaller eye opening which makes eyes appear “squinty.” Slanted eyes typically occur when the lower lid has been tightened (canthoplasty, canthopexy or other form of canthal suspension).  Canthoplasty/canthopexy...

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty, ptosis repair, canthoplasty, etc.) can certainly improve aesthetic appearance greatly.  However, today many patients are seeking a less invasive way to improve the way they look – especially around the eyes.  For this patients are seeking eyelid filler.  Eyelid  fillers are materials like Restylane, Juvederm or Perlane which fill depressions, dark circles and hollows around the eyes.  Unlike surgery, eyelid filler with any of these materials (Restylane, Juvederm or Perlane) is reversible.  This means if the patient is unhappy with...

Brow lift surgery is a procedure where the eyebrow is lifted to a higher position.  Conversely, blepharoplasty surgery is a procedure where excess skin/muscle and fat are removed.  Both procedures (brow lift surgery and blepharoplasty surgery) are often performed on a revision (redo) basis to address problems from the first surgery.  Revision surgery is significantly more complex than primary (first time) surgery.  Revision surgery should only be performed by a surgeon well versed on these kinds of procedures. Below is a recent example of a combined revision...