Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is a procedure used to treat droopy eyelids. During this type of plastic surgery, a doctor removes skin, muscle, and sometimes fat that may be causing the area around your eyes to sag.

You might consider blepharoplasty if droopy or sagging eyelids keep your eyes from opening completely or pull down your lower eyelids. Removing excess tissue from your upper eyelids can improve your vision. Upper and lower lid blepharoplasty can make your eyes appear younger and more alert.

Blepharoplasty may be an option if you have:

You may undergo blepharoplasty at the same time as another procedure, such as a brow lift, face-lift or skin resurfacing.

Procedure

Blepharoplasties are performed on an outpatient basis. That means you can go home shortly after the procedure. General anesthesia is only used for some people. Your surgeon will usually inject a numbing agent into your eyelids.

The upper eyelids are addressed first. Here, your surgeon will make a small cut and remove excess skin, as well as muscle and sometimes fat. Some of these tissues might be moved to other areas surrounding the eye before your surgeon closes the incision.

The lower lid blepharoplasty usually involves removal of fat, which contributes to the under-eye bags, as well as sometimes removing a small amount of skin. The incision may either be on the inside of the eyelid or on the outside underneath the lower eyelashes. In some people, the lower eyelid may be tightened or secured to the bony skeleton.