Medicine and Health
Blepharoplasty: Upper and lower eyelids
Blepharoplasty can give the eyes a more youthful look and can correct droopy eyelids, a condition called ptosis. You may want a blepharoplasty procedure for cosmetic reasons or to be able to see better. This often depends on what part of the eyelid has the excess skin:
- Upper eyelids: Excess skin in the upper eyelids can result in a tired appearance or can result in difficulty seeing the top portion of your field of vision. Sometimes, blepharoplasty surgery for the upper eyelid is for cosmetic reasons, while in other cases the surgery is medically necessary to allow you to see better.
- Lower eyelids: Blepharoplasty in the lower eyelid is usually a cosmetic procedure to improve the shape, contour and appearance of loose skin, bulging fat and irregular shape.
Am I a candidate for eyelid surgery?
Candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are:
- Physically healthy
- Psychologically stable
- Realistic in their expectations
- Age 35 or older
Some medical conditions make eyelid surgery more risky, including:
- Thyroid problems
- Dry eyes
- Lack of sufficient tears
- High blood pressure
- Circulatory disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Detached retina
- Glaucoma
If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor to find out if blepharoplasty is appropriate for you.
Eyelid surgery: What to expect
While every patient’s experience is different, here is a general guide to eyelid surgery:
- We will decide with you where to perform the surgery. Location options include:
- Surgeon's office-based surgical facility
- Outpatient surgery center
- Hospital outpatient
- Hospital inpatient
- We will place you under anesthesia, either general anesthesia or a local anesthesia combined with a sedative. This second option allows you to remain awake but relaxed.
- The procedure lasts several hours. After the procedure, you may experience short-term side effects including:
- Eyelids may feel tight
- Eyelids may feel sore