Upper Eyelid Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing With Incisional Blepharoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
Laser resurfacing, performed at the same time as blepharoplasty, has most commonly been applied to the lower eyelid skin but can effectively be used on the upper eyelid to reduce rhytidosis and improve skin quality. The authors evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure.


METHODS
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing was performed in conjunction with incisional upper blepharoplasty. The ultrapulsed laser energy was applied to the sub-brow skin, the upper medial canthal skin, and the pretarsal skin in 30 patients. Photos were obtained preoperatively and at 3 months.


RESULTS
All patients demonstrated reduction in upper eyelid rhytidosis without any serious complications. Independent rhytidosis grading (0-4) showed a mean improvement of 42%. One patient experienced wound dehiscence that satisfactorily resolved without intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Upper eyelid laser resurfacing is effective and can be safely performed at the same time as upper blepharoplasty. This approach reduces or eliminates the need for medial incisions to address medial canthal skin redundancy and rhytidosis and it directly treats upper eyelid wrinkles on residual eyelid and infra-brow skin during blepharoplasty.
*Private Practice, New York, New York; †Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, New York; and ‡Texas Oculoplastic Consultants, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.
Brett S
BS
Kotlus
Robert M
RM
Schwarcz
Tanuj
T
Nakra
D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015595:Skin Aging