Why are the eyes so important?

While our faces allow us to communicate with the world, our eyes remain the most expressive part of our face. They are the first thing people search when looking for non-verbal confirmation of our words. In fact, 55% of the message we send to others is non-verbal communication. Our brains are wired to subconsciously scan for these non-verbal cues. The brain focuses first on the eyes and mouth, but our eyes actually have the biggest impact on the way we are perceived by others.

Unfortunately, as we age, it’s common to see a change in the fullness of our upper and lower eyelids. This directly impacts how we are perceived. The more open the eyelids, the more pleasant and approachable we are perceived to be.

When person-to-person communication is so vitally important, it’s counter-productive if our eyes communicate something about us that isn’t true — that we’re tired or ill – simply because our upper and lower eyelids have changed with age.

How Do Eyes Change with Age?

The three parts of the eye – eyebrows, upper eyelids, lower eyelids and cheeks — can show the effects of age. Let’s take a look at how age affects each part.

1. Eyebrows
   The eyebrows can drop lower and the upper eyelid can appear heavier. The eyebrows can also descend into the eyelid space, which causes a sagging eyelid and narrows the eyes dramatically.
2. Upper Eyelids
   In addition to the eyebrows influencing the upper eyelid, there are two other conditions that can occur with age.The first is slipping of the eyelid-lifting muscle known as the levator dehiscence. When this muscle slips, the eyelid droops and may even cover the pupil, making it difficult to see.

   The second condition is known as dermatochalasis. It is caused by redundant tissue in the eyelid pushing the eyelid downward, leaving us looking tired, older, or both.

3. Lower Eyelids and Upper Cheeks
   The main issue in this area is the appearance of dark circles that send a message of fatigue or illness. Dark circles have five unique causes.
   1. Fullness below the eyes catching shadows
   2. Hollowing under the eyes catching shadows
   3. Brown pigment or age spots in the skin below the eyes
   4. Thin skin and redness showing through the skin in the region below the eyes
   5. Festoons and malar mounds catching shadows in the lower eyelid and cheek regions

What’s the Good News About Your Eyes?

Fortunately, there are straightforward, attainable solutions for each of these problems that arise as we age.

Eyelid surgery is one of the most frequently requested services I provide and it requires special attention. I am committed to addressing all three areas of the eye in determining the proper treatment to eliminate the problem areas.

Results that are noticeable but natural, subtle yet powerful, are always the goal. I carefully assess each patient to determine which conditions my patients have, as well as whether a patient needs more than one condition addressed. I then recommend whichever surgery or treatment is best suited to their specific situation.

More information about these specific procedures can be found in The Ultimate Guide to Eyelid Surgery.