Eyelids: The windshield wipers of the eyes
- Posted on: Aug 26 2021
One of my mentors used to call the eyelids the windshield wipers of the eyes. This simple yet accurate comparison is very true! When considering that the eyelids blink 15-20 times a minute, there is a lot of contact between the eyelids and the eyeball. During my training as an eyelid expert, I learned dozens of surgeries and procedures that can be performed on the eyelids. When operating on the eyelids there is always one question in the back of my mind: Is this procedure going to make the eyes dry or change their function in any way?
This is a very important question to ask when operating on the windshield wipers of the eye, and one extremely important reason to choose a surgeon who has experience in Ophthalmic surgery as well as facial plastic surgery.
There are many procedures both cosmetically and functionally that can change the appearance and function of the eyelids. In some cases, the eyelids can look amazing after surgery, but not be able to close. This is a huge problem! Eyelids not closing is like driving in a rainstorm with broken windshield wipers—not fun at all. Surgery at the hands of someone who has limited experience with eyelid procedures can result in lagophthalmos or incomplete closure of the eyelids. Even when you want to close your eyelids all the way, like when sleeping, you still have a gap in the eyelids that can let in air, resulting in dryness of the cornea. Lagophthalmos can lead to pathologically dry eyes that need artificial tears constantly throughout the day. In the worst cases, this may lead to irreversible damage to the cornea that requires a cornea transplant.
To avoid these scary complications, choose a surgeon who is experienced in operating on eyelids and knows the delicate anatomy of the lids inside out and backward. It is one thing to get a cosmetically appealing result, but this can come at a high price if the eyelid function and ability to close are sacrificed. To get results that are visually appealing, visually significant, and that preserve your eyelid’s ability to open and close correctly, it’s important to consult with an eyelid expert.
Posted in: V-Eye-P