Quality of Life Improvement Following Blepharoplasty: A Prospective Study.

[BACKGROUND] Our previous retrospective study indicates that esthetic surgery in general results in a significant improvement in Quality of life (QoL). This is the first indication-specific prospective evaluation of QoL after blepharoplasty using standardized and validated questionnaires.

[OBJECTIVES] To report changes in QoL after blepharoplasty prospectively with a 6-month follow-up.

[METHODS] The same surgical team performed an esthetic blepharoplasty on 50 patients. Participants answered 1 set of questionnaires preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The instrument consisted of a self-developed indication-specific part specially designed for blepharoplasty and 4 validated and standardized testing instruments (FLZ, FPI-R, RSES, and PHQ-4) with norm data for German-speaking countries available.

[RESULTS] This study reveals a high rate of satisfaction after blepharoplasty. 96% felt better about themselves and 94% would undergo the procedure again. Statistically significant increased values were found postoperatively in the items "income" ( P =0.016), "family life" ( P =0.028), "partner relationship" ( P =0.039), "ability to relax" ( P <0.001), "energy" ( P <0.001), "hobbies" ( P <0.001), and with their outer appearance in general ( P =0.018). Blepharoplasty showed a statistically significant improvement in emotional stability ( P =0.017) and a reduction in depressive symptoms ( P <0.001). Our patients had statistically significantly higher self-esteem before ( P <0.001) and after ( P <0.001) the intervention.

[CONCLUSION] Our prospective study shows that blepharoplasty increases most aspects of QoL significantly, has a positive effect on emotional and physical well-being, and reduces the incidence of depressive symptoms and anxiety.