Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery planned around the health of the eye as well as its appearance.
Overview
The eyelids protect the cornea, spread the tear film with every blink, and define the upper edge of your field of view. When they droop, turn inward or stop closing fully, the effects are felt as much as seen: irritation, watering, and vision obstructed from above.
Assessment therefore begins with the eye itself: tear film, corneal surface, lid strength, lid position and visual field. Surgery on an eye that is already dry, or that closes incompletely, leaves a patient uncomfortable however well it is performed. Improvements in appearance are planned within those limits, which is also what keeps the result looking natural.
When to seek assessment
- Heavy upper lids, or lifting the eyebrows in order to see
- Loss of the upper part of your field of vision
- Excess skin resting on the lashes
- Lids turning inward or outward, with persistent redness
- Watering, crusting or repeated lid infections
- Eyes not closing fully at night, with grittiness in the morning
Diagnosis
How the assessment is made
Lid position and strength
Measurements that distinguish a genuinely drooping lid from excess skin alone — two problems that require quite different operations.
Visual field testing
Documents how much of your upper field the lids are blocking, which establishes whether the problem is functional rather than cosmetic.
Tear film and surface check
Carried out before any surgery is planned. Removing too much skin from an eye that is already dry causes lasting discomfort.
Tear drainage assessment
For patients whose main complaint is watering, since the cause is more often poor drainage than excess tears.
Treatment
Options and what each one is for
Upper eyelid surgery
Removal of the excess skin, and where needed a small amount of fat, through the natural crease of the lid — restoring the upper field and a rested appearance.
Lower eyelid surgery
Correction of under-eye fullness and loose skin, planned with attention to lid support so that the lid position is not weakened.
Correction of a drooping lid
Tightening of the muscle that lifts the eyelid, with the height adjusted during the procedure itself.
Lid position repair
Restoring a lid that has turned inward or outward, to protect the cornea and end the constant irritation and watering.
Lid lumps and cysts
Treatment of persistent chalazia and removal of benign lid lesions, with tissue sent for examination where appropriate.
Recovery
What to expect afterwards
First week
Bruising and swelling peak at around forty-eight hours and then settle steadily. Cold compresses and ointment as directed; stitches are removed at five to seven days.
Weeks two to four
Most people feel comfortable in company within ten to fourteen days. Avoid strenuous exercise, swimming and rubbing the eyes.
Three to six months
The scar within the lid crease fades to near-invisibility and the final contour settles.
Questions
Frequently asked
If your question is not answered here, it is welcome in consultation — or by message before you book.
Frequently both. When excess skin blocks the upper field of vision, the operation is functional and is documented with a visual field test. The improvement in appearance is a consequence rather than the reason.