This surgery is performed to reduce droopiness in your upper eyelids and bagginess around your lower eyelids. The aim is to provide a brighter, less tired appearance.

The operation is carried out as a day procedure, usually under general anaesthesic. This surgery is often combined with brow and face-lifting procedures.

Upper eyelids alone can be treated under local anaesthesia.

You are usually given a general anaesthetic for eyelid surgery. If it's only your upper eyelids, this can be done using a local anaesthetic. Eyelid surgery is carried out as a day procedure.

With your upper eyelid, we make a cut along the fold of the lid and slightly beyond the outer corner of your eye. We then remove skin and muscle from the lid to reduce its droopiness.

With your lower eyelid, we make a cut along the lash margin of the lid and slightly beyond the outer corner of your eye. We raise a flap of skin to expose the underlying fat pads (it's the bulging of these pads that gives the "baggy" look under your eyes). The pads are cut out, replaced, or redistributed. We then remove any excess skin from the skin flap.

Often the operation can be done from inside the eyelid, leaving no external scar.

After the operation

Pain is not usually a problem following this procedure, but bruising and swelling are variable. This can vary from minimal discolouration to virtually closing the lids for a few days. Sometimes the bruising can track onto the white of the eye leaving a bloodstain here for some weeks. Bruising can be minimised by sleeping with the head up on a few pillows, avoiding exercise, avoiding alcohol, Aspirin and similar anti-inflammatory drugs.

You need to minimise physical activity for 3 weeks. After that you should be able to resume normal levels of activity within the limits of comfort. Time off work may depends on the amount of bruising, which usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to settle.

Your specialist will give you full information at your consultation about what to expect.

The incisions are placed in the fold of the upper lid and at the lash margin of the lower lid. Both of these scars extend a centimetre or so beyond the outer corner of the eye. Scarring is seldom a problem but for the first month or two they are pink and a little lumpy. Sometimes there is a temporary puckering while the scars are immature and contractile.

It is common for some irritability of the eyes following surgery but lubricating eye drops or eyewashes can help alleviate this. Swelling and eye drops may also produce some blurring of vision and you should not drive a car during this time. In the first weeks after surgery, the eyelids may not close normally during sleep. This may produce crusting and irritation of the eyes. This settles spontaneously and is helped by lubricating eye drops.

Sometimes weakness and drooping of the lower lid is seen for a few weeks after surgery. This recovers spontaneously as the bruising and subsequent scarring soften and disappear. It can, however, delay the final result. Permanent drooping of the lower lid (ectropion) is possible but rare and may warrant further surgery.

Blindness is recorded following blepharoplasty but is extremely rare.

There can be no guarantee with any surgery. Improvement not perfection is the realistic aim.

During your consultation your specialist will fully discuss with you the risks and complications associated with this surgery.

Scars from the operation are hidden in the fold of your upper lid and at the lash margin of your lower lid. Both these scars extend a centimetre or so beyond the outer corner of the eye and lie in the natural skin creases.

The outcome for you is:

• your upper eyelids look smoother and less heavy
• your lower lids look less baggy
• your eyes look brighter and less tired.

The information provided about eyelid surgery is intended as a guide only.  If you have further questions about this surgery be sure to have them answered before you have the operation.  Your surgeon will be very happy to explain anything in detail during your consultation.  

UPPER & LOWER EYE LIDS

The cost of upper and lower eyelid surgery in a private hospital, including surgeon's fee, hospital fees and anaesthetic fees is approximately $23,500

UPPER EYE LIDS ONLY

Upper eyelid surgery in a private hospital, including surgeon’s fees, hospital fees and anaesthetic fees are approximately $12,000

The cost of upper eyelid surgery under local anaesthetic in our rooms is approximately $6,600

LOWER EYE LIDS

Lower eye lid surgery is generally done under a brief general anaesthetic in a private hospital and costs approximately $16,500

A personal quote will be provided after your consultation with one of our surgeons.