A chalazion typically presents itself as a red, firm, painless eyelid swelling that develops over several weeks. They can occur on the upper or lower eyelid, and often more than one can appear at one time. Chalazia can be incredibly frustrating for patients, as they are often unsightly and difficult to treat. Even if you are successful at getting them to go away, they tend to reappear.   You may be wondering; how do I treat a chalazion, and more importantly, how do I prevent it from returning? Board-certified eyelid and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Malena M. Amato is an expert on ..read more

Finding out that your infant requires reconstructive eyelid surgery can be anxiety-inducing, to say the least. Though there is some relief in knowing there is a remedy to a serious, painful, or chronic condition affecting their ocular health and vision, and it won’t have to be something they live with for the rest of their life. Still, it’s only natural to feel nervous when your child needs any type of surgery.   At Malena M. Amato M.D. in Austin, TX, we do everything we can to ensure that your child feels calm and relaxed before eye surgery and that you feel as prepared as possible to ke ..read more

The eyes are the focal point of the face. If your eyes are surrounded by fine lines, sagging skin, and wrinkles, this can make you look and feel older than you are. The area around the eyes is some of the thinnest on the entire body, and therefore it is the most susceptible to early signs of aging. As the muscles and tissue of the eyelids weaken, the eyelids appear droopy, sunken, puffy, and wrinkled, ultimately hiding your gorgeous eyes.   Eyelid surgery with board-certified eyelid and facial plastic surgeon Dr. Malena Amato can take years, even decades, off the appearance of your eyes ..read more

At the end of a long day, it’s natural for your eyelids to naturally begin to drop. The muscles that are supposed to keep them open while you’re awake, staring at computer screens and reading, become fatigued just as other muscles in your body do. But what can you do if your sagging lids make you look tired and older all of the time? The answer is eyelid surgery. At Eyelid and Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Dr. Malena Amato M.D. is an expert facial plastic surgeon known for her ability to artfully rejuvenate your unique facial features while preserving your natural looks. If your upper or ..read more

Drooping, puffy eyelids can alter your expression, making you look tired, sad, and older than your age. In some cases, they can even obstruct your vision. Eyelid lift surgery, medically known as blepharoplasty, repairs the form and function of eyelids affected by ptosis (drooping eyelid muscle) or sagging skin. If you’re experiencing the effects of stubborn undereye bags that are hard to conceal with makeup, a sunken, tired appearance, or dark circles, an upper or lower eyelid surgery may be the perfect solution for you. Austin-based specialist Dr. Malena M. Amato is a board-certified plastic ..read more

Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what happens when those eyes appear hooded or hidden by the eyelids? There are different types of eyelid surgery designed to make you look and see better, improving your quality of life. Most patients don’t fully understand these distinctions between operations or how to choose which one is best for them. Here is a brief explanation of each. Blepharoplasty Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty repositions, or eliminates fat to diminish eyelid bulges that cause a puffy effect. It can also remove excess skin to deliver a youthful, alert appe ..read more

Approximately 50% of people of East Asian descent have a skin fold, or pretarsal crease, in the area above the eyelashes.   Those without this crease find that much of their eye area is covered by skin, making their eyes look small. The skin can also push eyelashes downward, making it impossible for women to get the upward sweeping, even curled eyelash look that draws attention to the eyes. Sometimes, these downward pointing eyelashes even poke into the eyes, causing tearing and irritation. These issues have led those of Japanese, Chinese and Korean descent to seek the Asian eyelid lift ..read more

Your eyes are the most expressive feature on your face. By widening, narrowing, or rolling your eyes, you can communicate so many messages without saying a single word. However, what happens when your eyes convey a message that doesn’t represent the way you feel? Because of their expressiveness, the eyes are often the first area on your face to show the signs of aging. And when you grow older, your eyelid skin can begin to droop, making you look sad, tired, or otherwise unapproachable. For many people, cosmetic eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is an easy way to revitalize their eye ..read more