DOC TALK
For that new look
DR. MOHAN RAJAN, DR. SUJATHA MOHAN AND DR. SENTHILNATHAN
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Some forms of eye surgery not only help you see better, but also improve your looks.
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Photo: S.R. Raghunathan
BETTER LOOK: Remove the excess fat.
Rapid advances in the field of ophthalmology have resulted in effective solutions for common problems like cataract. Now more attention is being given to the cosmetic concerns around the eyes, which have been hitherto ignored.
Apart from a purely cosmetic viewpoint, effective management also helps the patient see better apart from making them look younger and youthful.
Some of the common conditions that can be successfully managed are age-related drooping of eyelids (Aponeurotic ptosis); Droopy eyebrows (Brow ptosis); Excess skin/fat around eyes/bulgy eyes (Dermatochalasis); Prominent forehead/smile lines (Dynamic wrinkles).
Aponeurotic ptosis refers to the drooping of the upper lids giving the patient a sleepy, tired look. This condition usually occurs as a part of the normal ageing process, secondary to the weakening and stretching of the muscle that lifts the upper lid (levator muscle/LPS) or can occur after an eye surgery.
The droopy lid obscures the superior field of vision and causes the patient to use his forehead muscle (Frontalis) to lift his lid; this can result in eye strain and headache (Asthenopia).
This condition can be easily corrected by surgery, which will lift the eyelid by tightening the stretched muscle and improve the field of vision apart from making him look better.
In Brow ptosis, the eyebrows that are normally arched and lie along the superior orbital rim can droop following age-related involutional changes and can lie overhanging the eyelids. This also makes the patient look sleepy and tired and requires him to raise the brow by contracting his frontalis muscle, which again lead to asthenopia. This condition can be corrected by a procedure called Brow Lift surgery, which can be performed in different ways according to the patient’s needs.
Dermatochalasis is a common complaint among middle-aged and elderly patients. In the upper lid, it presents as excess skin which overhangs the upper lid and hides the natural skin crease.
In the lower lid it presents as puffy, bulgy pockets of fat beneath the lid, which can be cosmetically unacceptable to the patient. This is mainly due to weakening of the septum, which holds the fat pads back firmly during youth.
Both these conditions can be corrected by a procedure called Blepharoplasty, which removes the excess skin and fat judiciously giving an aesthetically pleasing and youthful appearance.
Dynamic wrinkles is another commonly encountered problem. The term refers to the marked lines over the forehead and around the eyes when they frown or smile.
These dynamic wrinkles occur due to constant over action of the underlying muscles and can be addressed effectively using Botox injections, which are very popular in the West.
Botox injections contain small doses of Botulinum toxin, which works by temporarily weakening the action of the injected muscle and thereby smoothening the overlying skin. These injections usually work for 4-6 months and need to be repeated if necessary.
Thus a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical techniques are now available to help give a more youthful look apart from improving vision.
The authors are consultant ophthalmologists based in Chennai.
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