What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the medical name for eyelid surgery. The NHS describes it as an operation to remove excess skin, fat or muscle from the eyelids, costing between £2,000 and £6,000 privately in the UK. It is two different operations that can be done separately or together:
- Upper blepharoplasty treats hooded or heavy upper lids. The incision sits in the natural eyelid crease, so the scar is largely hidden when your eyes are open. Read the upper blepharoplasty guide.
- Lower blepharoplasty treats under-eye bags. The incision is made just below the lash line or inside the lower eyelid. Read the lower blepharoplasty guide.
What can it change, and what can’t it?
Eyelid surgery changes the eyelids themselves: loose upper-lid skin, and fat that bulges into the lower lid. It doesn’t change the brow, the skin texture around the eyes or pigment. It won’t lift sagging eyebrows, remove crow’s feet or eliminate dark circles, and it can’t change the colour of dark shadows under the eyes.
Hooded upper lids are sometimes caused by a dropped brow rather than excess eyelid skin. A surgeon should check for this, because removing eyelid skin won’t fix a low brow.
How much does blepharoplasty cost in the UK?
The NHS guide range is £2,000 to £6,000, plus consultations and any follow-up. Published prices we found ranged from £1,895 at one Glasgow clinic to around £5,000 per procedure at Moorfields Private in London, with upper and lower together costing more. The blepharoplasty cost guide compares dated prices and explains what a quote should include.
What is recovery like?
The NHS says most people take about two weeks off work, can’t drive for several days, and have stitches or suture strips removed within about a week. Bruising can take several weeks to fade, and scars may feel tight for a few months. The recovery guide sets this out week by week.
What are the risks?
Like any operation, eyelid surgery carries risks. The NHS lists occasional problems such as blurred or double vision, uneven-looking eyes, noticeable scarring and changes in eyelid sensation, and rare ones including injury to the eye muscles, the lower lid turning outwards (ectropion), bleeding behind the eye and long-term vision problems. Some people want a second operation. Your surgeon should explain how these apply to you.
Does the NHS pay for eyelid surgery?
Not for appearance. Local NHS bodies fund it only when the eyelids cause a medical problem, most often excess upper-lid skin reducing your field of vision. In Birmingham and Solihull, for example, the ICB states that lower-lid “eyebags” do not affect function or vision and so are not funded. In Scotland, surgery is not considered where tiredness or ageing is the main concern. See blepharoplasty on the NHS.
How do I check a clinic and surgeon?
In England, the NHS advises checking that the clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission and reading its inspection reports, and checking the surgeon on the GMC register, including any fitness-to-practise history. In Scotland, private clinics must be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland. Our guide to choosing a surgeon lists the questions worth asking at consultation.