Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery is a plastic surgery procedure which can create more youthful looking eyes. This surgery, known technically as blepharoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures performed today. The surgery can improve both puffiness of the lower eyelids as well as drooping of the upper eyelids. For more extensive rejuvenation, the surgery may be performed along with other procedures like a forehead lift or skin resurfacing.

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery as it is more commonly known, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance to the eye area. During the surgery, excess fat, skin and muscle are removed from the upper and/or lower eyelids. This helps to improve drooping upper eyelids and puffy under eye bags. Eyelid surgery may also improve vision if excess upper eyelid skin is interfering with sight.


If you are considering eyelid surgery, it’s important that you be in good physical health and that you have realistic expectations for your surgery’s outcome. Surgery may not be indicated for patients with certain circulatory or ophthalmologic conditions.

The surgical time for blepharoplasty typically lasts between 1 1/2 to 2 hours, with either local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia being used. Incisions are usually located in the crease of the upper eyelids and just below the lashes of the lower eyelids. Working through the incisions, excess fat is removed, sagging skin and muscle are trimmed and the incisions are then closed. A procedure known as transconjunctival blepharoplasty may be performed on patients without excess skin and just a pocket of fat beneath the lower eyelids. For this procedure, incisions are made on the inside of the lower eyelids.

After the surgery, cool eye pads are applied to the eyelids. There are no other dressings. Patients can expect some minor bruising and swelling with most of the bruising fading within one to two weeks. Mild discomfort can also occur, in particular a tight or sore sensation in the eyelids, and pain medication can be prescribed to help relieve these symptoms. Other side effects that may occur during the first week after surgery can include dry, itchy or burning sensations of the eyes, tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurred or double vision. Stitches are generally removed within two to seven days. It will take about seven to ten days before work and other normal activities can be resumed and about three weeks before resuming more strenuous activities.