Eyelid Surgery (Oculoplastic and Lacrimal)

Otherwise known as Blepharoplasty, eye lid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that helps both men and women battle against the inevitable ageing around the top and bottom of the eyes. 

The procedure is designed to help give the patient a fresher and more youthful look around the eye area and involves removing or re-locating the fat tissue and lined skin to create a smoother and more pleasing look. 

A successful surgery will leave a more attractive area around the eye without any signs that surgery has taken place. 

Early signs of ageing and sun damage will usually occur around the eye before any other any other area on the face and patients will usually have this procedure prior to any other work being carried out on the face such as a facelift.

There are two types of blepharoplasty, upper eye and lower eye. Upper eye surgery will help those patients who have creased skin below the eyebrow and above the eye whilst lower eye surgery will help patients with 'tired' eye or puffiness below the eye.

The procedure can be performed under either local or general anaesthetic and will normally take around an hour to complete depending on how many eyes are being performed on. 

An upper blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess skin on the upper eyelid by excising a crescent shaped area and leaving a small incision line just above the eye.

A lower blepharoplasty will mean a small incision will be made just under the lower eyelid where the excess fat and tissue will be removed to leave a smoother, more youthful appearance. 

The type of anaesthetic used will affect when the patient will be allowed home with local anaesthetic being normally a day case and general anaesthetic meaning the patient will require an overnight stay.

You will experience some bruising and swelling for around a period of a week after the procedure and are advised to stay away from work for a period of two to three weeks and are also advised to avoid sunbathing on the eye area for 12 months after the operation. It is helpful if you were also to stay as upright as possible in the two days after the procedure to minimise the swelling and bruising. 

Your consultant will need to check your eye the day after the operation and you will need to return the clinic several times during the first few weeks after the operation.

If you are paying for your own treatment all costs will be discussed and explained prior to any treatment taking place. This will be confirmed in writing along with any surgeon fees, anaesthetist fees and hospital charges prior to admission.