How Do You Protect Eyes from Lasers when Treating Loose Eyelid Skin?

If the eyelid is treated up to the eyelashes, there are different types of eye protection that doctors can use depending on the energy source.  Radiofrequency such as Thermage involves the use of plastic sterile eyeshileds placed by the physician similar to the manner in which contact lenses are placed. For many lasers, sterile smooth metal eyeshields are placed in lieu of the plastic mentioned above. There are other ways in which it can be done. The physician should discuss with you the procedure they will use.

When performing laser resurfacing of the eyelid skin, I insert metal eye shields to protect from the laser.  First an anesthetic drop is used, followed by careful placement of a metal eye shield that is coated with eye lubricant.  The eye is then flushed with BSS solution after their removal following the laser treatment.  A properly fitting eye shield is excellent protection from laser injury.

Treating the eyelid skin with a laser is generally the best way to improve texture, lines, wrinkles and the crepe paper appearance of the skin. It is essential to protect the eye by placing a shield over the eye. It's like a large contact lens, but for comfort an anesthetic drop is placed in the eye and a lubricating ointment is spread over the inside of the shield. It's completely comfortable. Once it's in place the laser procedure can be done all the way to the eyelash line to rejuvenate the lids. After the procedure the shield is easily removed and we flush the eye with a saline solution to remove any remnants of the ointment. In our office, once the shield is in place, our patients are never left alone. It only takes a few minutes to perform the laser so for those who don't like the thought of the shield (which can't be felt) removing their sight temporarily, the shields are out in no time.