Considerations in aesthetic eyelid surgery.

BACKGROUND: Successful aesthetic eyelid surgery is based upon multiple complex factors that, when put together, yield a pleasing result. Beauty is inherently related to normal eyelid function and symmetry. OBJECTIVE: To review the critical issues facing the aesthetic surgeon, and to propose a systematic method of assessing the patient preoperatively. METHODS: This article first examines the general considerations for aesthetic eyelid surgery, followed by specific concerns within each anatomic area. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The critical task in aesthetic eyelid surgery is to reconstitute or preserve the normal structure and function of the eyelids. This is especially true in the multicontoured areas. It is essential for the surgeon to define the problems in a hierarchal fashion, and plan the surgery accordingly. Thus, not all patients can achieve the desired results in one sitting. The goal of aesthetic surgery is to avoid the telltale signs of surgery and to help the patient attain a youthful and energetic appearance for his or her age bracket.