Medically reviewed by Dr. Niranjana Bejan Singh. Written to established clinical-education standards (AAO/Mayo/NHS/NEI) and adapted for this hospital. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Blepharoplasty is surgery to remove or reposition excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids. On the upper lids, it is often done to treat eyelid skin that has become loose enough to sag over the lashes and interfere with side vision, as well as for cosmetic reasons. On the lower lids, it is usually done to reduce puffiness or bags caused by fat bulging forward.
Who typically needs this
- People with upper eyelid skin sagging enough to reduce or obstruct their peripheral or upper visual field.
- Patients bothered by the tired or heavy appearance caused by excess upper eyelid skin or under-eye puffiness.
- Adults with age-related loss of skin elasticity around the eyes, since this is largely an age-related change.
- People in good general health without uncontrolled dry eye, thyroid eye disease, or other conditions that would need to be addressed first.
What to expect
- The surgeon examines eyelid skin laxity, fat distribution, eyebrow position, and visual field (with formal testing if the concern is functional) beforehand.
- It is usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation, and can address the upper lids, lower lids, or all four eyelids in one session.
- For the upper lids, an incision is placed along the natural eyelid crease, through which excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat are removed.
- For the lower lids, the incision is placed either just below the lash line or inside the eyelid (transconjunctival, leaving no visible scar) to remove or reposition fat.
- Incisions are closed with fine sutures designed to leave as inconspicuous a scar as possible along natural eyelid lines.
Recovery
- Swelling and bruising are common for the first one to two weeks, with cold compresses and head elevation recommended to reduce them.
- Sutures, if not dissolvable, are typically removed within about a week.
- Temporary dryness, irritation, or difficulty closing the eyes fully can occur in the early healing period and usually settles as swelling goes down.
- Most people return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks; strenuous exercise and contact lens wear are usually paused for a couple of weeks.
Risks to know about
- General surgical risks include bleeding, infection, and visible scarring, though scars are usually well hidden in natural eyelid creases.
- Temporary dry eyes, blurred vision, or difficulty closing the eyes fully is common initially and is occasionally longer-lasting.
- Asymmetry between the two eyelids can occur and sometimes needs a minor touch-up procedure.
- Rare but serious risks include significant bleeding behind the eye that threatens vision, which is why patients are told to seek urgent care for severe pain or vision changes after surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Is blepharoplasty always cosmetic?
No — when sagging upper eyelid skin genuinely blocks part of the visual field, blepharoplasty can be medically indicated rather than purely cosmetic, and this is confirmed with a visual field test.
Will blepharoplasty remove my under-eye dark circles or wrinkles?
Not directly — it addresses excess skin and bulging fat; dark circles, fine wrinkles, and skin quality often need separate treatments.
How long do the results last?
Results are generally long-lasting, though the eyelids continue to age naturally afterward, as they would without surgery.
Can upper and lower eyelid surgery be done together?
Yes, many patients have all four eyelids addressed in a single session if needed, which the surgeon will discuss based on the assessment.
Ready to see us?
Call the appointment desk, or book online — we will confirm your time by phone.
Sources consulted: Mayo Clinic — Blepharoplasty, AAO — Blepharoplasty, NHS — Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) . General medical information — not a substitute for professional diagnosis. Medically reviewed by Dr. Niranjana Bejan Singh.
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