Eyelid conditions and corrections

The following doctors on our team specialise in eyelid corrections:
Dr. De Wilde and Dr. Vereecken.

Eyelid conditions

Our eyelids can also be susceptible to inflammation. With a timely diagnosis by your ophthalmologist, followed by the right treatment, a lot of problems can be prevented and healed.

Cysts and tumours

Both benign and malignant tumours can form relatively often on the eyelids. Fortunately, 90% of eyelid tumours are benign. If your doctor wants to exclude a malignant condition with certainty, a piece of tissue (biopsy) can be removed under local anaesthesia and examined under a microscope.

Blepharitis

There are glands along the edges of our eyelids, known as meibomian glands. If these glands work properly, they secrete good oils that stabilise your tear film so that it does not evaporate too fast. If the meibomian glands are inflamed and become clogged, this is known as blepharitis. This inflammation affects the tear film and causes dry eyes.
Symptoms of blepharitis are: swollen, itchy or red eyelids, sticky eyelids, flakes and scabs on the eyelids and eyelashes. With good hygiene of the edges of your eyelids and cleansing, blepharitis can usually be kept under control.

Chalazion

Chalazion is the scientific name for an inflamed lump on your eyelid. This appears to be a sudden inflammation, but it is often the consequence of a chronic inflammation of the meibomian glands in the edges of the eyelids, or ‘blepharitis’. A clogged gland can turn into a chalazion, a hard lump in the eyelid.

Blepharospasms

With blepharospasms, the tension in your eyelid muscles is too high. This causes you to blink excessively or your eye may involuntarily remain closed for a few seconds, minutes or sometimes even hours. Injections of botulinum toxin A (such as Botox®) relax the orbicularis oculi muscle, which causes the problem.

Eyelid corrections

As you get older, your skin also ages. The elasticity and tightness of the skin around your eyes decreases. This can cause your eyelids to droop and lead to bags or wrinkles. This can give a sombre or tired impression and may also put pressure on your eyes and sometimes even cause headaches. People who smoke, drink or spend too long in the sun have a bigger chance of developing these bags. Eyelid corrections can remedy these problems.

Treatment of droopy eyelids

There are many different possible treatments, depending on the cause of the droopy eyelids.
The ophthalmologist will carry out the necessary tests for a potential treatment (e.g. a visual field test), so that he or she can evaluate whether you are eligible for a partial reimbursement by your health insurer.

SURGICAL PROCEDURES FOR CLINICAL CONDITIONS

Ectropion and entropion

Ectropion is an eyelid that turns outwards. This makes the red interior of the lid visible. This can be cosmetically unpleasant.

Entropion is the opposite, namely, when the eyelid turns inwards. This causes the eyelashes to rub against the cornea, causing pain, irritation, light sensitivity and a gritty feeling. The scratchy eyelashes can cause lasting damage and a deterioration of vision.

Corrective surgery is required for both ectropion and entropion in order to treat the problem.

Ptosis of the upper eyelid

This is a condition in which the eyelid droops, which can hamper your vision. It can occur in just one eye, resulting in a cosmetically displeasing asymmetry. A surgical procedure can easily correct this. This procedure is always done with a CO2 laser.

AESTHETIC PROCEDURES

Upper eyelid correction

Excess, sagging skin above the eye is removed.

Lower eyelid correction

Your lower eyelids can also droop, as the fat tissue bulges out of the eye socket and makes for bags under your eyes. A lower eyelid correction can correct this using a CO2 laser.

The procedure

Most eyelid corrections take place under local anaesthesia at our eye centre. The procedure is almost entirely painless. For procedures under local anaesthesia, you don’t need to have an empty stomach and a light meal beforehand is permitted.

In the event of an upper eyelid correction, the excessive skin above your eyes is removed via a very tiny incision in the folds of the skin. After stitching, a cold eye mask is applied and you have to wait about half an hour at the eye centre.

Once the procedure is finished, you can leave our clinic. Your vision may be a bit blurry in the first hours after the procedure, and so we suggest that someone comes with you. Once the local anaesthetic has worn off, you may have a slightly unpleasant sensation, but this will soon disappear. You will need to apply antibiotic ointment to the wound. You should rest after the procedure and on the day after the procedure. Afterwards, you can resume your daily activities.

Treatment of wrinkles

Injections with botulinum toxin A (such as Botox) relax the muscles that cause wrinkles without paralysing them completely. These injections are useful both for repair and prevention. You will see their effects within 8 days to 3 to 4 months after the treatment.

How much does a treatment cost?

The costs can vary, depending on the type of treatment or procedure you need. During our consultation, we will explain the details of the cost to you.

Eyelid conditions and corrections