Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty)

With age and sun exposure, the very thin skin of the upper eyelid loses elasticity and lengthens. When the eye opens, that excess skin folds over the upper lid, producing a hooded appearance and, in some cases, encroaching on the field of vision.

Upper blepharoplasty removes the excess skin and, where indicated, refines small fat pads through an incision placed in the natural eyelid crease.

Me Clinic has been operating for over 35 years and has performed over 5,000 cosmetic eye procedures since the 1980s.

What it addresses - and what it does not

Upper eyelid heaviness has more than one cause, and only some are treated by this operation:

Excess upper eyelid skin - what upper blepharoplasty removes.
Descended brows. If the brow has dropped, the lid looks crowded even where the eyelid skin itself is normal. Removing eyelid skin in that situation can pull the brow down further and make it look heavier. That is a brow lift problem, and the two are sometimes done together.
Ptosis - drooping of the lid margin itself, from weakness of the muscle that lifts the eyelid. This requires a different operation. Removing skin will not raise a ptotic lid.

Distinguishing these is the substance of the consultation, and it is why an examination matters more than a photograph.

How it is performed

The incision sits in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, where the resulting scar is concealed when the eye is open. Excess skin is removed and, where indicated, small fat pads refined. Fine sutures close the incision.

Excess skin can be removed by conventional surgery or with a laser. Where a laser is used, scarring tends to be less visible - though it sits in the crease either way, and individual healing varies.

It can be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or under general anaesthesia. It is a day procedure. Upper and lower eyelid surgery can be undertaken together where appropriate - the recovery period is essentially the same as for one procedure alone, and the combined cost is lower than two separate operations.

Recovery

You may feel drowsy from the anaesthetic. Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay overnight, and rest that evening.
An after-hours direct number is provided.
Return to the clinic for your first post-operative check the next day or within a few days.
The area around the eye may be bruised and swollen for 7 to 14 days. Keep your head upright and apply cold compresses periodically.
Sutures, where used, are removed at three to five days.
Avoid swimming until healing is complete - there is a risk of infection.
Skin generally heals within two to three weeks, though this varies between individuals.

Surgeons and nurses monitor recovery through a number of post-operative check-ups and are available if you have questions or concerns.

Costs

Upper blepharoplasty at Me Clinic ranges from $8,000 to $12,000. Where upper and lower eyelid surgery are combined, the range is $15,000 to $18,000.

Each procedure is tailored to the individual, so an accurate figure comes from consultation. The quoted price includes fees for the surgeon, assistant if required, hospital, anaesthesia, recovery care and follow-up - quoted once, in full.

As at September 2024 and including GST, a consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is $350. Payment for major surgery is due four weeks before the procedure.

Referral requirement

Since 1 July 2023, all patients are required to have a referral from a general practitioner before seeing a plastic surgeon or doctor about cosmetic surgery. This is a national requirement, not a clinic policy. A referral is also necessary to access any Medicare rebate.

A cooling-off period applies after your second consultation before surgery can be booked. Appointments are generally available within 7 to 14 days.

Medicare

Purely cosmetic upper eyelid surgery is not covered by Medicare. Where overhanging upper eyelid skin is documented to impair the upper visual field, MBS item 45618 may apply and a partial rebate may be available. Formal visual field assessment is required and strict criteria apply.

Me Clinic is not a no-gap provider, so out-of-pocket costs apply even where a rebate is available. See does Medicare cover my surgery.

Combining with other procedures

Upper eyelid surgery is often performed alongside laser cosmetic surgery or laser skin rejuvenation to address skin texture around the eyes, or with a brow lift where the brow has descended.

Risks

All surgical procedures carry risks and potential complications. For upper eyelid surgery these include:

Infection
Bleeding and haematoma
Visible or thickened scarring
Dry eye, grittiness and irritation, which can persist
Difficulty closing the eyes fully (lagophthalmos), which can lead to corneal exposure
Asymmetry between the two eyelids, including asymmetric crease height
Over-correction, producing a hollowed or startled look, or under-correction with residual hooding
Changes in eyelid sensation
Blurred or double vision
Loss of vision - rare, usually caused by bleeding behind the eye, and a surgical emergency
Anaesthesia complications
An unsatisfactory result and the possible need for revision surgery

Seek urgent medical attention for severe or increasing pain, rapidly increasing swelling or bruising, or any loss or change of vision after surgery.

Please read our information on the risks and complications of cosmetic surgery before proceeding.

Booking

Phone Me Clinic on 1300 852 050 or use the contact form. Me Clinic is at 4 Burke Road, Malvern East VIC 3145, five minutes' walk from Caulfield station.

See blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, before and after, brow lift, or all face procedures.

Individual results may vary. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.