Blepharoplasty (eye lift) eyelid surgery

Excess skin and fat around your eye is relatively common, but it can lead to potential vision problems. At Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care, we offer blepharoplasty as part of our expert-led ophthalmology services. 

What is a blepharoplasty? 

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin or fat from around your eyelids. You can develop excess skin and fat for several reasons, and it can gather above or below your eyelids. 

Ageing is the most common cause of excess skin. As we age, our eyelids stretch and the muscles supporting them become weaker, leading to drooping and sagging skin and causing hooded eyes or bags underneath them. 

Blepharoplasty removes this excess skin and fat, but surgeons can also use it to strengthen your eyelid crease for a natural, youthful appearance. 

We can carry out blepharoplasty on your upper and lower eyelids at St Thomas’ Hospital. 

Who might benefit from blepharoplasty? 

Blepharoplasty isn’t suitable for everyone, but it can benefit you if you have excess skin around your eyes, especially if it interferes with your vision. It may help reduce brow aches or headaches caused by drooping eyelids. Blepharoplasty can also enhance your eye symmetry and provide a naturally-lifted look. 

If you’re wondering whether blepharoplasty is right for you, our team will guide you through your options and potential results.

Blepharoplasty procedure 

Our surgeons carry out the blepharoplasty procedure under local anaesthetic, which means you’ll be awake but your eye area will be numb. Anaesthetic prevents you from feeling any pain during the operation.  

You can usually go home on the same day, as blepharoplasty is a day-case procedure. 

Once your eye area is numb from the anaesthetic, the surgeon makes an incision along your eyelid’s fold (for upper blepharoplasty) or just below the lash line (for lower blepharoplasty). The surgeon then removes excess skin, muscle or fat from the incision and closes it with stitches. Sometimes, the surgeon redistributes muscles or fat before they close the incision to ensure your eyelids look even and natural.  

In upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon hides the incisions in your upper eyelid’s crease so you won’t see them when your eyes are open. The incisions may be slightly more visible in lower blepharoplasty as the procedure cannot hide them as easily. However, our surgeons use advanced techniques to minimise your risk of visible scarring. 

Blepharoplasty can take between 45 minutes and 2 and a half hours, depending on whether your upper and lower eyelids are done simultaneously. 

Recovering from blepharoplasty 

After your completed blepharoplasty, you’ll spend a short time in the recovery room, where we will monitor you in case of any complications. You can leave on the same day to continue recovering at home. 

During your recovery, you may experience some temporary side effects, such as:  

• blurred vision
• bruising
• pain and discomfort
• sensitivity to light
• swelling (this can make it difficult to close your eyes)
• watery eyes

To support your recovery and reduce side effects, you’ll be prescribed eye drops and advised to apply cool compresses to alleviate swelling and pain. It’s best to sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first few days to reduce swelling further. 

Avoid strenuous activity and swimming for the first few days of your recovery and try not to rub or itch your eyes. These actions can irritate the area and increase the risk of infection.  

While your eyes are recovering, you must protect them from sun exposure. Wear sunglasses or hats with a wide brim or peak to keep the sun off your face and away from delicate eyelid skin. 

Swelling and bruising can take around 2 weeks to reduce and the incisions’ marks will usually fade within a few months, meaning you may not see the results until you are completely healed. 

You may have to attend a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to ensure your eyes are healing well and to check for any signs of infection in your incisions. 

Benefits of eyelid surgery

Depending on the type of surgery, benefits may include:

• confirmed diagnosis of a suspicious lesion before further treatment
• improved eye symmetry
• improved field of view and brightness of vision
• reduced brow ache or headache if caused by eyelid droop
• reduced discomfort to the eye
• reduced watering from the eyes
• restoring eyelid function after trauma or surgery to remove eyelid cancer

Risks of blepharoplasty 

Some of the possible risks of blepharoplasty include:  

• a need for follow-up surgery
• difficulty closing your eyes
• dry, irritated eyes
• eyelid bruising and swelling
• infection
• reactions to the anaesthetic (very rare)
• scarring

All surgeries carry potential risks, but our surgeons work hard to minimise them. Their wealth of experience means they expertly perform a blepharoplasty that meets your needs while reducing your risk of problems during recovery. 

Book an appointment with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care 

Blepharoplasty is a routine procedure for us at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care, and our surgical team is committed to upholding the highest standards of care.   

If you’re unhappy with excess skin around your eyes, or if drooping eyelids obscure your vision, book a consultation with us. After a comprehensive consultation, your surgeon will give you realistic expectations personalised for your needs, and will provide further information on scheduling your surgery.