Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery vs. Presbyopia Surgery: Which Should You Have First?

Upper and lower eyelid surgery vs. presbyopia surgery,

which should you have first?

Hello.

This is Objet Plastic Surgery Clinic.

As we age,

two changes often appear

around the eyes at the same time.

One is the change in appearance that occurs when

the upper eyelids become heavy and droop,

making your expression look different every time you look in the mirror.

The other is the change in which nearby text becomes blurry

and your vision no longer feels the way it used to.

Because these two issues can overlap,

many people find themselves wondering

about both eyelid surgery and presbyopia surgery.

Among these concerns, the first question that often comes to mind

is which procedure should come first.

Today, for those considering both upper and lower eyelid surgery

and presbyopia surgery,

we will explain the criteria that can help you decide the order

and how much time to leave between the two procedures.

If you read to the end,

you should be able to determine for yourself

which procedure may be better to have first in your situation.

Upper and lower eyelid surgery vs. presbyopia surgery,

have “this” done first

Of upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, and presbyopia surgery,

the procedures generally recommended first when deciding the order

are upper and lower eyelid surgery.

Of course, the situation is different

if your vision has deteriorated significantly

and is making daily life difficult.

We will discuss that point again below.

If your vision is not causing major discomfort,

it is generally smoother to have eyelid surgery first,

allow sufficient time for recovery,

and then undergo presbyopia surgery.

The reason this order feels more natural

becomes much easier to understand

when you look at which parts of the eye

the two procedures address.

There is an order that lets you fully enjoy

your newly clearer vision

Upper and lower eyelid surgery and presbyopia surgery

involve the same eye,

but they address completely different areas.

Presbyopia surgery is performed inside the eye

to correct the lens, which gathers light.

The lens is the part inside the eye

that focuses light like a camera lens.

Because this part is adjusted,

vision becomes clearer.

By contrast, upper and lower eyelid surgery

involves refining the upper and lower eyelids that cover the eyes,

along with the skin and fat beneath them.

Because the areas being treated are separate,

presbyopia surgery does not cause the eyelids

to droop further or become looser.

Since it is performed inside the eye,

it has little effect on the outer eyelids.

The reverse situation, however, is somewhat different.

Upper and lower eyelid surgery

is a process of reshaping and repositioning the eyelids.

The eyelids do more than simply cover the eyes.

Each time you blink, they spread tears evenly

to keep the surface of the eye smooth.

Therefore, while the eyelids are settling

into their new positions,

the sensation on the surface of the eye

may feel subtly different,

and small changes to the curvature of the cornea,

where light first enters,

may also cause your vision to feel different from usual for a while.

However, this sensation generally stabilizes naturally

as the tissues settle into place.

This difference is the key to deciding the order.

If you undergo presbyopia surgery first

and then refine the eyelids

after your vision has become clearer,

your newly sharpened vision

will require another period of adjustment

while the eyelids settle into place.

Conversely, if you address the eyelids first,

allow sufficient time for recovery,

and undergo presbyopia surgery after your vision has stabilized,

you can continue to enjoy the clear vision

achieved in the final step.

That is why, when planning both upper and lower eyelid surgery

and presbyopia surgery,

eyelid surgery is generally recommended first

if improving vision is not urgent.

My vision is the more urgent issue…

Do I need to have only presbyopia surgery first?

The discussion so far

has been based on cases where vision

is not causing significant discomfort.

In other words, it does not apply

in exactly the same way to everyone.

If presbyopia has already progressed significantly,

making it difficult to drive or read,

or making daily life itself uncomfortable,

then restoring vision is more urgent.

In such cases, consider having presbyopia surgery first.

After your vision stabilizes,

you can then proceed with upper and lower eyelid surgery.

Ultimately, the order of upper and lower eyelid surgery

and presbyopia surgery depends on

which issue is currently causing the most discomfort in your eyes.

Once you have decided on the order,

you should also consider the interval between the two procedures.

Even when different areas are treated,

the tissues need time to settle and recover

after one surgery.

Proceeding to the next step

after one area has stabilized sufficiently

makes it possible to assess each result accurately

and reduces the strain on the body.

For this reason, the usual recommendation is

to proceed with the next step

after the area treated first has recovered,

leaving an interval of approximately

three to six months.

This interval can vary considerably

depending on which area was treated first,

how quickly you recover,

and your overall eye condition.

Therefore, rather than applying

a fixed period equally to everyone,

it is better to determine the timing of the next step

while checking your recovery progress.

Today, we reviewed which procedure

may be better to have first

among upper and lower eyelid surgery

and presbyopia surgery,

as well as how long an interval

to leave between the two steps.

Here is a summary.

If your vision is not causing significant discomfort,

have the eyelid surgery first.

If your vision has deteriorated considerably

and is making daily life difficult,

address the presbyopia first.

If you are planning both procedures,

allow approximately three to six months for recovery.

Dr. Hyun-jo Kim of Objet Plastic Surgery Clinic

begins by distinguishing where the discomfort you are experiencing

originates when deciding the order of procedures.

If a drooping upper eyelid is covering part of the pupil,

then a significant portion of the reason for blurred vision

may lie in the eyelid.

In that case, priority is given to addressing

the upper and lower eyelids first.

If the lens's ability to focus light

has decreased substantially,

then presbyopia correction is considered first.

In addition, the thickness of the eyelid skin,

the strength of the muscles that open the eyes,

and the speed of recovery are all taken into account

when determining the timing

that allows the results of both procedures

to be assessed clearly and separately.

This is the most important criterion

Dr. Hyun-jo Kim considers when deciding the order.

The eyes are the first place people look at on the face,

and vision is directly connected

with everyday life.

For that reason, it is natural

to be cautious even about the order of the procedures.

If you are wondering which step to take first,

we recommend starting with a consultation

that evaluates both your eyelid condition and your vision.

This has been Objet Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Thank you.

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• This post is medical information prepared by 오브제성형외과의원 in compliance with the Medical Advertising Act.

• The effects of the procedure may vary from person to person, and side effects may occur.

We recommend that you make a decision about the procedure only after having a thorough consultation with a medical professional in advance.