- Home
- Procedures
- Face
- Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, addresses changes to the upper and lower eyelids that affect both how your eyes function and how they look. Ageing can lead to excess skin on the upper eyelids or drooping of the upper eyelid, which can cause visual obstruction and make your eyes feel tired, especially at the end of the day. Lower lid changes usually show as under-eye bags, creased skin or hollowing beneath the eye.
At our Sydney rooms, eyelid surgery covers three distinct operations: upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty and ptosis repair. Excess upper lid skin is a soft tissue problem, while ptosis is weakness of the levator muscle that lifts the lid margin. Both can exist in the same eye, so each is assessed separately.
Dr Maryam Seyedabadi, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, MBBS FRACS, has a particular interest in eyelid surgery and considers function alongside appearance. Assessment covers eyelid position, muscle action, skin quality, brow height and tear film, because a low brow or dry eyes change what is advisable.
Who it may suit
- Upper eyelid skin that rests on your lashes or narrows your upper field of vision
- A heavy feeling in the upper lids that builds through the day, when reading or during screen work
- Loss of a visible upper eyelid crease, or difficulty applying makeup to the lid
- Under-eye bags, crepey lower lid skin, or a hollow groove at the tear trough
- One eyelid sitting lower than the other, or a lid margin covering part of the pupil
- Adults in stable general and eye health who understand what surgery can and cannot change
Eyelid procedures we offer
Upper Blepharoplasty
Removal of excess upper lid skin, and where it contributes to fullness a strip of muscle or a small amount of fat, through an incision placed in the natural lid crease. Where upper eyelid skin demonstrably affects the field of vision, a Medicare item number may apply subject to clinical criteria, sometimes including a visual field test.
Read more about upper blepharoplasty
Lower Blepharoplasty
Treatment of under-eye bags, excess lower lid skin and tear trough hollows, through an incision just below the lash line or inside the lid. Fat may be removed, repositioned, or supplemented with fat grafting, depending on whether the issue is fullness, hollowing or both.
Read more about lower blepharoplasty
Ptosis Repair
Tightening or reattachment of the levator muscle to raise the lid margin itself. Ptosis may be present from birth or develop later with ageing, contact lens wear, previous eye surgery or trauma. Removing skin alone will not correct it.
Recovery
Eyelid procedures are usually day surgery, and most people go home the same day. Recovery varies with the procedure, your healing and how many lids are treated.
- Bruising and oedema around the eyes typically settle over roughly two weeks, often longer after lower lid surgery
- Fine sutures are generally removed at about five to seven days
- Many patients return to desk work within about a week, and to exercise after two to four weeks once cleared
- Vision can be blurry for the first few days from ointment and swelling, so plan not to drive immediately
- Scars usually fade over several months and continue to settle for a year or more
Risks and considerations
Risks include bleeding and haematoma, infection, dry or gritty eyes, watering, temporary blurred vision, difficulty closing the eyes fully, visible or thickened scarring, asymmetry between the two sides, eyelash loss and reaction to anaesthetic. Rare but serious complications include lower lid malposition, injury to the eye and loss of vision.
Ageing continues after surgery, and laxity can return over the years. Some patients need a further procedure to adjust height, symmetry or residual skin, and revision is more common after ptosis repair than after skin removal alone.
Your consultation with Dr Maryam
A referral from a registered medical practitioner is required before your consultation, and a GP referral is preferred so your general health and any eye conditions are taken into account. Dr Maryam examines your lids and brows, measures eyelid muscle function, arranges a visual field test where vision appears affected, and takes preoperative photographs.
Before you decide, the risks, possible complications and alternatives are discussed, including doing nothing. A cooling-off period of at least seven days applies between consultation and booking surgery. Patients under 18 have a cooling-off period of at least three months and also require assessment by an appropriate registered health practitioner. Our rooms are at 2c Heeley Street, Paddington NSW 2021, and enquiries can be made on 1300 067 668.
What actually happens
Your Journey, Step by Step
Before your consultation
Common questions, answered plainly.
Are eye bags always caused by ageing?
Not always. While ageing is a common cause, genetics can also contribute to under-eye fullness. Some people develop eye bags at a younger age because of inherited facial features, while others notice them gradually as the tissues around the eyes change over time.
How do I know if I am suitable for eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery may be considered if you have heavy or excess upper lid skin, upper lids that sit low over the eye, under-eye bags, loose lower lid skin or hollowing in the tear trough. Some people notice their upper field of vision is reduced. Assessment includes your eyelid position and function, brow position, tear film and dry eye symptoms, thyroid and eye health, and any medications that affect bleeding. Suitability is decided at consultation.
What does upper and lower eyelid surgery involve?
Upper eyelid surgery usually removes a measured strip of excess skin, with a small amount of muscle or fat if needed, and the scar sits within the natural upper lid crease. Lower eyelid surgery may reposition or remove fat, tighten the lid and treat excess skin, through an incision just under the lashes or inside the lid. Depending on the plan, surgery may be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation or under general anaesthetic, usually as day surgery.
At what age do people usually consider blepharoplasty?
There is no specific age for blepharoplasty. Some people consider the procedure earlier because of inherited eyelid features, while others seek advice as age-related changes become more noticeable. Suitability is based on your individual assessment rather than your age alone.
Can upper and lower blepharoplasty be performed at the same time?
Depending on your individual assessment and treatment plan, upper and lower blepharoplasty may be performed during the same operation. Dr Maryam Seyedabadi will discuss the available options, along with the potential risks, benefits, and whether this approach is appropriate for your circumstances.
How long does recovery after eyelid surgery take, and what are the risks?
Most people take about one to two weeks away from work and social activities. Bruising and oedema are expected, sutures are usually removed within a week, and scars typically fade over months. Risks include bleeding, infection, dry or watery eyes, temporary blurred vision, asymmetry, difficulty closing the eyes, lid position changes needing revision, and rarely serious problems affecting vision. Healing varies from person to person, and your risks and complications are discussed at consultation.
Do I need a GP referral to see a female plastic surgeon for eyelid surgery in Sydney?
Yes. In Australia a GP referral is required before a consultation for cosmetic surgery, and it is also needed if a Medicare rebate may apply. Dr Maryam Seyedabadi is a female Specialist Plastic Surgeon, MBBS FRACS, AHPRA registration MED0001341746, who consults at 2c Heeley Street, Paddington. A cooling-off period applies between consultation and surgery so you have time to consider the information, and risks are discussed before you decide. Phone 1300 067 668.
