Eyelid aesthetics are procedures performed to eliminate various deformations such as wrinkles, sagging, fat accumulation, bagging around the eyes. Problems around the eyes make the person look old, tired and reduce the quality of vision. Deformations around the eyes negatively affect the general structure of the face aesthetically.

Eyelid aesthetics are painless, safe surgical procedures that are easily applied to people of all ages. After practical, painless eyelid surgery, the eyes are revealed and the person gets a young and fit appearance.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty is an aesthetic procedure performed to solve upper eyelid sagging and lower eyelid bagging problems. Eye deformations are most commonly caused by aging.

With the advancement of age, the skin around the eyes wrinkles, the eye muscles weaken, the upper eyelid sags, and excess fat tissue accumulates in the lower eyelid. This situation causes an old, tired, neglected appearance and negatively affects the quality of vision.

Eyelid surgery solves the problems in the eyelids and provides a smooth, tight, taut appearance around the eyes. After the surgery, the person looks younger and the quality of vision improves.

What is Droopy Eyelid?

The upper eyelid covers the eye 2mm from the top under normal conditions. If the upper eyelid sags and exceeds 2mm due to effects such as gravity, hereditary characteristics, aging, this condition is called droopy eyelid. In addition to making the person look old and tired, droopy eyelid also negatively affects the visual function. Depending on the degree of droopy eyelid, treatment is provided by medical or surgical procedure. Eyelid surgery is performed in advanced eyelid drooping.

What are the Causes of Eyelid Sagging?

Since the skin around the eyes is very thin, it is easily affected by external factors. Eyelid sagging occurs for different reasons that vary from person to person. The most common causes are as follows:

Hereditary causes
Ageing
Sun exposure
Irregular sleep
Unhealthy diet
Use of harmful substances such as smoking, alcohol
Intensive work
Stress
Intensive use of devices such as computer screens and mobile phones

How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

In eyelid surgery, local or general anaesthesia is applied to the person. Depending on the deformation of the eyelid, one eyelid or both can be operated. The incision site is opened from the upper eyelid line or the base of the eyelashes. Excess fat in the upper and lower eyelids is removed. The excess skin causing sagging of the eyelids is cut and removed. The incision sites are closed with sutures and the procedure is completed. Eyelid surgery takes an average of 45-120 minutes.

Who is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Eyelid surgery is applied to people who are not satisfied with the appearance of the eyelid, whose quality of vision decreases, and who complain of bags under the eyes.

What Should Be Done Before Eyelid Surgery?

Before eyelid surgery, the person is examined and eye deformation is examined. The person’s health history is taken and it is investigated whether there is an obstacle to surgery. Before the surgery, blood thinners should not be taken, herbal tea should not be drunk, habits such as smoking and alcohol should be stopped, and the use of hormone medication should be terminated. After all these precautions, the person is made ready for surgery by marking around the eye.

What Should Be Done After Eyelid Surgery?

After the surgery, the person is discharged after resting for 4-6 hours. Stitches are removed after 1 week. The healing process takes 10-14 days. During this period, it is necessary to pay attention to the following:

Ice compress is applied for the first 24 hours for bruising and oedema in the eyes.
Eyes should not come into contact with water for the first 24 hours.
For the first 3-4 days, the head should be kept upright and should not be tilted forward. Do not lie face down.
The eye area should be protected from impacts.
In the first weeks, sunglasses should be used when going out in the sun.
Heavy activities should not be done.
Contact lenses should not be used.
Movements such as scratching, rubbing, massage should not be done.
Make-up should not be applied around the eyes and cosmetic products other than the cream recommended by the doctor should not be used.
If the eyelid does not close due to swelling, products such as eye drops and cream given by the doctor should be used regularly.

What is the Recovery Process After Eyelid Surgery?

The healing process after eyelid surgery should be spent resting at home. The following steps will be useful to make the healing process comfortable and fast:

During the 10-14 day period, eye-straining activities should not be done; television, computer, telephone screen should not be looked at, reading activity should not be done.
It is normal to have some pain after the operation. In such a case, painkillers approved by the doctor should be taken and ice compresses should be applied.
Exercise, sports and strenuous activities should be avoided. Light walking can be started 7-10 days after the operation.
You should not go to work for the first week. Depending on the condition of the person, this period may be prolonged, and the doctor’s instructions should be followed during the return to work.
It is very important not to interrupt the dressing and controls for the healing process to be comfortable and to get an efficient result from the surgery.

What is Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure performed when the eyelid covering the eye is lowered more than 2 mm. This condition, which also affects the quality of vision, is completed by removing the excess skin on the eyelid and pulling the upper eyelid upwards. After the upper eyelid surgery, deformations such as wrinkles and sagging on the eye disappear, the eye looks bigger, and the quality of vision improves. The person gets a young and dynamic appearance.

How is Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Upper eyelid surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia. Excess skin is removed by making an incision from the upper eyelid line. The remaining skin is sutured together. Non-melting stitches are used to avoid scarring. The procedure is completed by closing the upper eyelid with a tape. Upper eyelid surgery can be performed in one eye or both eyes. The operation takes an average of 45-60 minutes.

What are the Benefits of Upper Eyelid Surgery?

The benefits of upper eyelid surgery are as follows:

Eyes look aesthetic and big.
The quality of vision improves.
The person gets rid of the old, tired appearance and gains a dynamic, lively, young appearance.
The morale and self-confidence of the person increases. Work and social life improves.
It is a painless, safe and easy surgical procedure.

What is Lower Eyelid Surgery?

Lower eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure performed to remove deformations such as wrinkles, sagging, swelling and bagging in the lower eyelid. The image of the person is negatively affected by these effects on the lower eyelid.

Lower eyelid surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia. The incision site is opened through the eyelash base or eyelid. During the operation lasting 1-2 hours, fat bags are removed, excess skin is cut and removed, and the under-eye skin is stretched. The procedure is completed by suturing the incision sites.

What is the Important Difference Between Lower and Upper Eyelid Aesthetics?

Lower and upper eyelid surgeries are different procedures. The main difference of these two aesthetic procedures stems from the difference and function of the application area. While sagging problem is frequently seen in the upper eyelid, bagging (fat accumulation) is seen in the lower eyelid. For this reason, in the upper eyelid surgery, excess skin is removed and lifted upwards, while in the lower eyelid, fat bags are removed and excess skin is removed by stretching the muscles.

Eyelid Surgery Prices

Eyelid surgery prices vary according to the scope of the surgery, the degree of deformation, the quality of the material to be used, the experience of the doctor and whether it is combined with other procedures. Since lower eyelid surgery is more comprehensive, it is more expensive than upper eyelid surgery. Both upper and lower eyelid operations are more affordable because they are included in a different calculation. You can come to our centre for an examination and get detailed information as well as price information.

Are There Any Scars After Eyelid Surgery?

In upper eyelid aesthetics, the incision site is opened between the fold of the eyelid. In lower eyelid aesthetics, the incision site is opened through the eyelash base or eyelid skin. Therefore, suture scars are not visible after the surgery. In addition, since self-melting stitches are not used, the scar is more faint.

Is Eyelid Surgery a Permanent Procedure?

Eyelid surgery has a permanence of 8-10 years. With the effects such as gravity and aging, deformations begin to be seen on the eyelids again at the end of 8-10 years. Depending on the wishes of the person, eyelid surgery can be performed again or the permanence of eyelid surgery can be prolonged with minor interventions with non-surgical methods within 8-10 years.

How Long Does Eyelid Surgery Take?

If eyelid surgery is performed on both the upper and lower eyelids, it takes 90-120 minutes. Surgery for just the upper eyelid takes 45-60 minutes. The duration of the surgery depends on the deformity in the eyelids, the thickness of the skin, and whether it is combined with other procedures.

Is Eyelid Surgery Risky?

The risks of eyelid surgery include incomplete closure of the eyes, infection, bleeding, and asymmetry. To avoid these risks, eyelid surgery should be performed by a plastic surgeon in a Ministry of Health-approved medical center or hospital. In surgeries performed by experienced and specialist doctors, all possible risks are calculated in advance, and precautions are taken to prevent them. Under these conditions, eyelid aesthetics is a safe and risk-free procedure.

Is There an Age Limit for Eyelid Aesthetics?

Eyelid aesthetics can be applied to anyone who is over 18 years old. For individuals under 18, it can be performed with parental consent in exceptional cases such as illness or accidents. Since eyelid aesthetics is generally applied to advanced deformities, it is typically performed after the age of 40.

Does Eyelid Surgery Make the Eyes Bigger?

Eyelid surgery does not increase the size of the eyes. By removing the sagging skin from the upper and lower eyelids, the eyes become more open. As a result, the eyes appear larger than they did before the surgery.

What Is the Difference Between Normal Eyelid Surgery and Asian Eyelid Surgery?

The Asian eyelid structure typically has a single fold and lacks creases. The difference between Asian eyelid surgery and normal eyelid surgery is that the single-fold eyelid is transformed into a double fold with creases. In normal eyelid surgery, only fat removal and the excision of sagging skin are performed. The doctor will determine which procedure should be applied based on the individual’s eyelid structure for both health and aesthetic reasons.

Is Eyelid Surgery Dangerous?

Complications such as dryness, bleeding, infection, incomplete closure of the eyelids, and irritation may occur after eyelid surgery. Avoiding these risks depends on having the surgery performed by an experienced and specialist plastic surgeon.

Does the Shape of the Eyes Change After Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery?

The shape of the eyes does not change with eyelid surgery. The deformities in the eyelids are corrected, the eyes are opened, and the quality of vision is improved. Some individuals have drooping outer canthi, which can cause the eyes to appear droopy. The surgeon can intervene in this area during surgery to lift it. The details of what procedures will be done and how they will affect the appearance are discussed beforehand to create an appropriate surgical plan.

What Are the Advantages of Eyelid Aesthetics?

The advantages of eyelid aesthetics are as follows:

With the improvement in the eyelid area, the individual achieves a youthful and aesthetic appearance.
Improvement in vision quality is achieved.
There is no need to stay in the hospital; the patient is discharged on the same day.
No pain or discomfort is felt during the procedure.
Since the incision is made in hidden areas, no scar is visible after the operation.
It has a longevity of 8-10 years. After this period, surgery can be repeated if desired.

Author : Op. Dr Leyla ARVAS

Dr Leyla Arvas is an internationally recognised specialist in aesthetic surgery based in Istanbul. Graduated in 1998 from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, she has developed her expertise by studying in Taiwan, Japan and Spain during her 20 years of experience.

This article February 12, 2025 was updated on
Editor: admin@quartz.com.tr

Eyelid Surgery