Upper Blepharoplasty Surgery

Shakespeare said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, so it is no surprise that surgery to lift and open the eyes is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures worldwide.

What is an Upper Blepharoplasty?

Upper Blepharoplasty is surgery that reduces the amount of skin on the upper eyelid and corrects any soft tissues, like fat and muscle, that bulge from the eye socket into the eyelid. The British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (the professional organisation that represents highly qualified surgeons who specialise in cosmetic surgery, of which I am a member) says:

“Blepharoplasty surgery, commonly known as an eyelid reduction, is an operation to reshape the eyelids. An upper-eyelid reduction can improve your vision and make you look younger.”

Age, sun damage and your genetic heritage can make the skin on your upper eyelids droopy, loose, and lined, resulting in a tired and heavy appearance even when you’re wide awake and well-rested.

As well as loose skin, the fatty tissue above the eye can flop forward, making the area look bloated and swollen. The BAAPS says:

“In addition to the development of excess skin, the internal structures of the upper lid can weaken over time (as part of the ageing process and because of other additional factors), leading to the fat that surrounds the eyeball bulging forwards from the eye socket into the eyelid causing a ‘puffy’ appearance.”

An Upper Blepharoplasty tightens and lifts the skin and soft tissues above the eyes, restores the eyelid crease, and makes the lids more defined and the eyes wider, brighter and more youthful in appearance.

Who can benefit from an Upper Blepharoplasty?

I regularly perform Upper Blepharoplasty on men and women who have noticed age-related changes to their eyelids. Typically, patients complain that the skin above their eyes has become saggy and wrinkled and that their eyes have become more tired and heavy in appearance as they’ve grown older.

Different individuals have different concerns and priorities but many complain about looking older, appearing less alert, having problems applying eye make-up and also having upper-eye skin that droops down and impairs their vision.

I also operate on younger people with naturally hooded eyes. Surgery in younger individuals offers less dramatic results, but patients usually find the results equally rewarding. Upper Blepharoplasty surgery can open up the eyes, make the eyelid crease sharper and more distinct and make it easier to apply eye make-up. In my experience, even minor changes to the eye area can make an enormous difference to your whole appearance.

What happens in Upper Blepharoplasty Surgery?

When performing Upper Blepharoplasty surgery, I always tailor the procedure to suit each individual’s needs. I look at your eye shape and carefully discuss the changes you want to achieve before fine-tuning the procedure to achieve your goals. In general, the main aim of the procedure is to remove the excess skin, remove or reposition any fat and soft tissues that are bulging from the eye socket and restore a smooth, lifted and natural appearance to the upper eye area.

I usually perform Blepharoplasty under local anaesthetic, which reduces the risk of developing complications and helps speed up your recovery. Patients are typically alert, well and ready to go home on the day of the operation.

After cleaning your skin thoroughly, I use a fine needle to inject anaesthetic. During surgery you can shut your eyes, relax and listen to the music. You may feel gentle pushing and pressure, but the operation will be pain-free.

Initially, I make an incision in the crease of your upper eyelid, which ensures that the fine scars are hidden in your skin’s natural folds. I also make a cut around 10mm beneath your eyebrows. I excise any excess skin, remove any fat that is bulging into the eye socket and tighten the loose muscles.

Finally, I smooth and tighten the skin above your eyes and carefully suture everything into place.

Things to think about before considering an Upper Blepharoplasty

I’ve noticed that people are increasingly asking for ways to restore a youthful appearance the upper part of their faces and the area around the eyes. Surgery is the definitive procedure for permanent and highly effective results. However, there are things to consider before choosing an Upper Blepharoplasty:

It’s important to note that Blepharoplasty will not change the position of your brows. In some people, the loose and excess skin on the lids is a result of the skin sagging down because of drooping eyebrows. If this is the case with you, Blepharoplasty surgery may not fully correct the hooded appearance. I can discuss this in your consultation and advise whether you may need an additional brow lift to help achieve the results you want.

A range of non-surgical treatments can help rejuvenate your eyelids and reduce loose skin and wrinkles. Injectable therapies like Botox and dermal fillers can smooth wrinkles and add volume temporarily, while radiofrequency treatments and laser resurfacing work to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. Other treatments, like chemical peels, microneedling, and topical creams like retinoids, may address surface-level concerns and offer subtle improvements. However, these non-invasive alternatives offer less dramatic and shorter-lasting results than surgery.

Age-related eye changes can reduce your confidence and affect your psychological well-being. An Upper Blepharoplasty can lift your eyes, improve your vision, rejuvenate your appearance and improve your self-esteem.

If you’re considering surgery, I’d recommend talking to an experienced, qualified and accredited consultant plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon about your concerns and your treatment goals.