Tampa Bay Ophthalmologist Performs Eyelid Surgery to Enhance Both Function and Appearance of the Eye

TAMPA BAY, FL--(Marketwired - May 8, 2013) - Dr. Michael Manning, a Tampa Bay LASIK surgeon and ophthalmologist, offers eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at Gulfcoast Eye Care. Eyelid surgery removes excess skin or fat around the eyes and tightens the lax muscles of the upper eyelids. Because eye surgeons in particular are intimately aware of the important relationship between the eyes and the eyelids, Dr. Manning believes that ophthalmologists are particularly qualified to perform this surgery. The function of the eye and the eyelid are very dependent upon each other, and as a result, he says eye surgeons perform blepharoplasty with a keen awareness of both the cosmetic and the functional aspects of the procedure.

According to Dr. Manning, there are two categories of eyelid surgery -- functional and cosmetic. He says the ideal candidate for functional benefits of blepharoplasty are patients who notice visual impairment due to sagging of their upper eyelids or skin weighing down on their upper eyelashes. At his practice, Dr. Manning performs an in-office exam on patients who believe they may be suffering significant visual impairment due to excess skin and fat. If the visual field of a patient shows a 30% loss of the upper peripheral vision, he notes that the patient may be a candidate for functional blepharoplasty.

On the other hand, the Tampa Bay eye surgeon says cosmetic blepharoplasty helps enhance the aesthetics of the upper eyelids for patients who have eyelids that appear tired, droopy, or have excess skin hanging down. He highlights that this procedure is meant to rejuvenate the area of the face that is often the first feature people notice when meeting one another. Additionally, he says rejuvenated eyelids can also provide a more rested and youthful appearance for blepharoplasty patients.

Before Dr. Manning performs any blepharoplasty procedure, a number of tests are conducted to determine candidacy and the current level of function of the eyes and eyelids. Following the procedure, patients visit the office over the course of several appointments to ensure optimal healing and recovery.

Ultimately, Dr. Manning notes that recovery is relatively mild, as patients typically do not experience much pain or discomfort. He generally recommends that his Tampa Bay eye care patients intermittently apply ice packs for the first two days after the procedure and avoid strenuous activity (such as weight lifting or running) for about one week. He adds that any discomfort that does arise can typically be relieved with mild medication such as Tylenol. While patients will generally experience some bruising and swelling in the days following surgery, Dr. Manning says he takes many precautions to minimize these reactions and achieve the most effective results.

About Michael H. Manning, MD, FACS

Dr. Michael Manning is a graduate of Rollins College and earned his Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist, has spoken on ophthalmology at national and international conferences, and has co-authored several publications. At Gulfcoast Eye Care, he offers a comprehensive variety of treatments and procedures ranging from LASIK and cataract surgery, to blepharoplasty and BOTOX® Cosmetic. Dr. Manning is available for interview upon request.