If you’re experiencing discomfort related to your eyes, you may be considering a blepharoplasty (also known as eyelid surgery or an eye lift). This may be due to the effects of ageing, which can cause our eyelids to stretch and the muscles supporting them to get weaker. Discover why you might need a blepharoplasty, how it’s performed, and what you can expect the recovery to be like with The London Clinic Eye Centre.
Blepharoplasty
Also known as: eyelid lift, eyelid surgery
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What is it for?
A minimally invasive treatment used to treat a range of eye conditions
What is blepharoplasty?
Why might I need a blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty can be done for a variety of reasons. It’s usually performed as a cosmetic procedure, to make your eyes look younger and more alert.
However, it’s also sometimes recommended to improve the field of vision in people whose sagging upper eyelids obstruct their visual field. This is because baggy or droopy upper eyelids can partially reduce side vision (peripheral vision) as well as the upper and outer parts of the visual field. Blepharoplasty can help you to overcome these problems
What are the possible risks of a blepharoplasty?
While severe complications are relatively uncommon, all surgical procedures have risks. These can include reactions to the anaesthesia, blood clots, shock, and haemorrhage.In addition, there are some relatively rare risks associated with eyelid surgery, including:
- infection and bleeding
- dry, irritated eyes
- difficulty closing your eyes
- scarring
- injury to your eye muscles
- skin discolouration
- temporarily blurred vision or, extremely rarely, loss of eyesight
Your surgeon will discuss any possible risks with you before the procedure.
What to expect during and after blepharoplasty surgery
Step 1 How to prepare for blepharoplasty
Before your blepharoplasty, you’ll have a complete eye examination to check for any conditions, like dry eye or blepharitis, that could complicate the surgery. Your ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon may ask you to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications, blood thinners, and certain supplements that increase bleeding risk. You’ll also need to arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home and stay with you for the first night after the procedure.
Step 2 What to expect during blepharoplasty surgery
Blepharoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient or day case procedure and takes about 45 minutes to an hour for upper or lower eyelid surgery. If both are treated simultaneously, it can take around two hours. For an upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon makes incisions in the natural crease of the upper eyelid to remove excess skin and fat, leaving the scar hidden. For lower blepharoplasty, an incision is made just below the lash line or inside the eyelid to remove excess skin or fat, keeping the scar concealed.
Step 3 Blepharoplasty recovery and aftercare
After surgery, you may experience temporary symptoms like blurred vision, watery eyes, light sensitivity, and puffy or numb eyelids. Alongside any prescribed eye drops, ointments, or painkillers, cold compresses and antibiotic ointments can help reduce swelling. During recovery, avoid strenuous activities for one to two weeks, as well as smoking, eye rubbing, and contact lenses. Most patients return to work within two weeks and resume full activities within a month, though complete healing may take a few months, depending on the extent of the procedure.
Our experts
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Unparalleled eye expertise
Our ophthalmologists bring global experience across the full range of eye conditions, supported by advanced imaging and The London Clinic’s world-class facilities.
With you at every step
From your first appointment to follow-up, our clinicians, nurses and support teams provide coordinated, bespoke care so you always feel confident and supported.
Personal care, every time
We tailor your care around your individual needs, staying with you throughout your journey and ensuring you feel listened to and supported.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, treatment or a specialist opinion, our Eye Centre team is here to help. Find out more about how we can support your eye health.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.