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Anesthesia

Eyelid surgery can be accomplished through many sorts of anesthesia, from local “freezing” only to sedation or general anesthesia.

Local anesthesia involves simply injecting the area to be worked on with lidocaine or a similar local anesthetic, as a dentist might do. Once the area has been injected, the area can be operated upon painlessly. Local anesthesia is a good choice for shorter, simpler procedures, such as upper eyelid surgery. Local anesthesia can also be combined with a mild sedative pill to relieve anxiety in mildly nervous patients. Local anesthesia surgery is usually carried out in a surgeon’s office.

IV Sedation, or “twilight” anesthesia, is a step beyond local anesthesia alone. By inserting a small IV, the surgeon, his nurse, or an anesthesia provider can give you precise and repeatable doses of medications that induce a sleepy “twilight” state. While most patients do not fall fully asleep, most think they were “completely under” because they usually remember little to nothing about the procedure. IV sedation is a good choice for longer or more complicated procedures, or more anxious patients. Unlike with general anesthesia, however, IV sedation patients breath on their own during the procedure, can inform the surgeon of any discomfort, and generally have easier recoveries due to the use of much less medication compared to general anesthesia. IV sedation surgery is generally carried out in an accredited hospital, surgery center, or office-based operating room.

General anesthesia is what most patients refer to as being “completely asleep”. A combination of intravenous and/or inhaled medications create a totally unconscious state, and a breathing tube is placed to assist with breathing. Patients under general anesthesia usually feel and remember nothing at all. Upon waking up from general anesthesia, there is a higher chance of sore throat, headache, nausea, and a “hung over” feeling than with IV sedation or local anesthesia alone. General anesthesia is usually not available in a surgeon’s office – it is usually performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center operating room. Due to these downsides, general anesthesia is usually not recommended for eyelid surgery alone, though it may be a good choice for longer, combined, or difficult procedures.

For more information regarding anesthesia you may contact our office.