# Eyelid Surgery

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/eyelid-surgery

**Author:** Kudret Eye İstanbul | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-12

> **Summary:** Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) removes excess skin, muscle and fat from the upper and lower eyelids to make the eye area look younger and more dynamic. It is performed for aesthetic reasons and equally for functional complaints such as a drooping lid that blocks the field of vision.

## Quick Facts
- **Operation Duration:** 45-60 Minutes
- **Recovery Time:** Back to daily life in 1-2 weeks, full recovery up to a month
- **Anaesthesia Type:** Local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia if needed
- **Stitch Removal:** Usually after 5 to 10 days

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## What is Eyelid Surgery?
A surgical procedure that removes excess skin, muscle and fat tissue from the upper and lower eyelids. It can be aesthetic or functional.

**Aesthetic indications:**
- Sagging eyelids and skin folds due to ageing
- Under-eye bags and swelling
- Asymmetrical eyelids
- Low upper eyelid (ptosis), corrected with a separate lid-lifting procedure

**Functional indications:** Droopy upper eyelid, eye dryness and irritation, eye fatigue and headache that interfere with the visual field.

## Droopy Eyelid (Ptosis)
In ptosis the upper eyelid sits lower than normal, in one or both eyes, and can significantly affect vision.

**Common causes:**
- Congenital: the lid-lifting muscle is weak or underdeveloped
- Ageing: the muscles and tendons holding the lid weaken
- Injury from an accident or impact
- Neurological disorders affecting the third nerve or brain nerves
- Conditions such as diabetes, muscular dystrophy and Graves' disease

**Symptoms:** Lower-than-normal lid, eye fatigue, itching or irritation, headache, difficulty seeing when looking down, raising the eyebrows to keep the lid open, double vision.

**Treatment:** Depends on the cause. Mild cases may need no treatment, though the appearance can still be improved with eyelid aesthetics. Severe cases may need ptosis surgery, which repairs or tightens the lid-lifting muscle, whereas blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat; the two are sometimes performed together. Which procedure is needed is decided at the examination.

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## Eyelid Surgery Price
The price depends on the underlying cause and the operation; the treatment plan follows the examination results and varies by person. The page gives no fixed prices.

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## The Treatment Journey

### 1. Before Treatment
- Meeting with an eye surgeon: medical history, examination of eyes and eyelids, choice of procedure.
- Information on risks and benefits, plus pre- and postoperative instructions.

### 2. During Treatment
- Usually local anaesthetic, in some cases general anaesthetic.
- Incision in the natural upper lid fold or just below the base of the lashes in the lower lid.
- Excess skin, muscle and fat are removed, the remaining skin is stretched, incisions are sutured and the eyes are covered with a sterile bandage.

### 3. After Treatment
- Swelling, bruising and discomfort are most noticeable in the first days and ease within 1-2 weeks.
- Painkillers and ice packs as instructed; cold compresses and sleeping with the head raised help.
- Keep the eyes clean to prevent infection.
- Stitches are usually removed after 5 to 10 days.
- Until full recovery and final results (up to a month) the eyes may be sensitive and should be protected from sunlight.

## Risks and Possible Side Effects
Performed under local anaesthetic with low risks; most side effects are temporary:
- **Swelling and bruising:** Ease within 1-2 weeks; cold compresses help.
- **Dryness or tightness when closing the eyes:** Usually improves within a few weeks; drops help meanwhile.
- **Scarring:** Hidden in the natural crease and fades over time.
- **Slight asymmetry:** Uncommon; a small touch-up is possible.
- **Infection or bleeding:** Uncommon and treatable.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: Does eyelid surgery leave a scar?**
A: The incision sits in the natural upper lid crease, and just below the lashes or on the inner surface of the lower lid. The scar usually fades within a few months and is hard to see.

**Q: How long do swelling and bruising last?**
A: They are most noticeable in the first days and largely settle within one to two weeks. Cold compresses and sleeping with the head raised help.

**Q: Is a drooping eyelid only a cosmetic problem?**
A: Not always. Excess upper lid skin or ptosis can cover the upper field of vision; then surgery also improves sight. Which procedure is needed is decided at the examination.

**Q: When can I return to daily life?**
A: Most patients within 1-2 weeks; full recovery and final results can take up to a month.