Over time due to age, the skin of the eyelids can become saggy and the area under the eye can protrude, giving you the appearance of having "bags" under the eyes and making you look exhausted, even when you're not. That's where eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can help you look younger and more refreshed.1
If you're considering blepharoplasty, you're not alone because the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank ranks it as one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for both men and women.2
Below, we dive into what eyelid surgery is, how to prepare for it, what to expect during the healing process and how much you should expect to pay.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery, also known by the clinical term "blepharoplasty," helps tighten and lift the sagging skin of the eyelids.1 That's because the muscles around the eye can weaken as you age, allowing excess skin and fat to accumulate above and below your eyes.3
There are two types of eyelid surgery that your surgeon can perform separately or together, during which the doctor will make incisions along the creases of the eyelids or within the mucosa of the eye:4
- Upper eyelid surgery helps improve the appearance of the eyes by removing excess or sagging skin that creates folds and puffiness of the upper lids. It also raises or "lifts" the skin of hooded and droopy eyelids, which is why it is sometimes referred to as eyelid lift surgery.1
- Lower eyelid surgery involves the removal of lower eyelid fat pads that cause under eye "bags" and the tightening of any excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid.5
What Does Eyelid Surgery Treat?
Blepharoplasty is ideal for people dealing with:3
- Bags under the eyes
- Dark circles under the eyes4
- Asymmetrical eyelids1
- Wrinkled skin around the eyes6
- Droopy upper eyelids, also known as ptosis7
- Excess skin on the upper or lower eyelids
- Blocked peripheral vision due to sagging skin of the upper lids
- Hooded eyelids1
- Droopy lower eyelids that fold away from the eye, a condition known as ectropion, or into the eye, a condition known as entropion7
What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery has many benefits for those dealing with cosmetic and medical issues related to the eye. These benefits include:1
- A more youthful appearance in the eye area
- Improved peripheral vision3
- Relatively invisible incisions that heal within the eye folds
- Elimination of eye bags
- Fewer issues with eye irritation and sensitivity due to entropion or ectropion7
- Less downtime than other types of plastic surgery procedures, usually only requiring a week of downtime
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
The average cost of eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) ranges between $4,120 to $5,171 for either upper or lower eyelids.1 However, surgery prices can be as low as $1,500 or as much as $12,000, in some cases.1
Surgery for the lower eyelids tends to cost more than surgery for the upper eyelids due to the complexity of the procedure. That's because lower eyelid surgery not only involves the removal of extra skin but also fat. This type of surgery also can involve the relocation of fat to under the eyelids to prevent a hollow appearance.1
The costs of eyelid surgery included in this price range cover:6
- Doctor's fees
- Fees for the facility your doctor uses if not performed in-office
- Anesthesia fees
- Medications required
- Surgical supplies
- Follow-up care
Several things can affect the cost of your eyelid surgery, from the location of your doctor to the complexity of your procedure. These factors include:6
- The location of your doctor. If your doctor's office is in a major metropolitan area such as New York City or Los Angeles, expect to pay more than if it's in a smaller city.
- Where the procedure is performed. While most surgeons perform eyelid surgeries in their offices, some perform them in outpatient surgery centers or possibly even hospitals, depending on the complexity of your surgery. The fees for these facilities will make your surgery more expensive.
- Your doctor's credentials. Doctors who are board-certified oculoplastic surgeons have more experience dealing with complex surgeries than those who are simply board-certified plastic surgeons and will charge more for their services.
- The anesthesia used during your procedure. Most doctors perform upper eyelid surgeries using local anesthesia with oral sedation. Lower eyelid procedures will usually require IV sedation or general anesthesia due to their complexity, thus requiring the services of an anesthesiologist and adding to the cost.1
- How complex your surgery is. Lower eyelid surgery is more complex than upper eyelid surgery, increasing its price. Depending on how complex your particular case is could increase the price as well.
- If you combine eyelid procedures. Some doctors will give you a discount if you have both upper and lower eyelids done at the same time.
- Whether you have other surgical procedures at the same time. Just as with combining eyelid procedures, some doctors will give you a slight discount on procedures like brow lifts, PDO thread lifts, facelifts or fat transfer surgeries if performed at the same time.
Does Insurance Cover Eyelid Surgery?
Because doctors perform eyelid surgeries primarily for cosmetic reasons, they are typically not covered by health insurance. However, if your doctor determines that you need eyelid surgery due to a medical issue, your insurance may cover some or all of the cost.9
Medically necessary eyelid surgery
Health insurance companies consider eyelid surgery medically necessary if it will repair or improve your:9
- Peripheral vision due to drooping upper eyelid skin
- Visual field by at least 15 degrees
- Eyelids that cause spasms, known as blepharospasms
- Chronic dermatitis caused by droopy eyelids
- Eyelid issues due to trauma or previous surgeries
- Ptosis due to lax muscles
- Droopy eyelids causing irritation of the eye itself, including the cornea or conjunctiva (outer layer of the eye)
- Eyelid that is preventing you from wearing a prosthetic
In any of these cases, your insurance may cover your blepharoplasty. But, keep in mind that your insurance may still charge you a copay or coinsurance cost, along with any deductible that your plan may have for your surgery.
Non-medically necessary, cosmetic eyelid surgery
Your insurance won't cover your eyelid surgery if it is for a cosmetic purpose and is deemed an elective procedure by your doctor. This means that your surgery is not medically necessary.9
What to Expect With Eyelid Surgery
Prior to your eyelid surgery, you'll meet with your oculoplastic surgeon or plastic surgeon to determine what kind of results you are looking for and they will develop a plan for your surgery. You'll also need to:3
- Review your medical history with your doctor and disclose conditions like dry eye, diabetes, glaucoma and thyroid issues to them, all of which can affect your blepharoplasty.
- Visit your primary care physician to have blood work, a COVID-19 test and to go over your current medical conditions to ensure you are healthy enough for surgery.1
- Get a complete eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam will be with an ophthalmologist and will determine your baseline vision along with other things like tear production and specific eyelid measurements.
- Have a visual field testing. This will determine whether or not you are having problems with your peripheral vision and can support an insurance claim if you are.
- Let your doctor take photographs of your eyelids from many different angles, which might be used to support an insurance claim.
How do I prepare for eyelid surgery?
After going through medical tests with your doctors, once they clear you for eyelid surgery, you'll need to take a few steps:1
- Stop taking certain medications for at least two weeks prior to surgery. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, naproxen3 and some herbal supplements like fish oil1 that can increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery.
- Stop smoking or using any nicotine products a month before surgery. Nicotine can impede the healing process.
- Pick up your post-surgery medications before the day of your surgery.
- Arrange to have someone you trust pick you up after surgery and stay with you for the first night after surgery.
Is eyelid surgery safe?
As with any type of surgery, eyelid surgery isn't without risks, even though this is typically done as an outpatient procedure. The most common risks of eyelid surgery include:3
- Eye infections
- Swelling of the outer layer of the eye called the conjunctiva, known as chemosis, which can sometimes become chronic10
- Dry eyes
- Irritation of the eyes
- Trouble closing the eyes completely
- Injuries to the muscles surrounding the eyes
- Temporary or permanent vision loss
- Discoloration to the skin of the eyes
- Scarring
- Loss of nerve sensitivity of the eyelids11
- Needing follow-up surgery to correct a surgical error11
How long does eye surgery take?
Eyelid surgery isn't typically a long surgical procedure. It's usually done in an outpatient surgery center or your doctor's office. Prior to surgery, you'll be given numbing injections into the eye area, intravenous sedation or possibly general anesthesia.1
Expect it to last 30 minutes to an hour for upper eyelid surgery or slightly longer than that for lower eyelid surgery. Procedures like fat transfers can add around 30 minutes to either type of surgery.1
What Is the Recovery Time for Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery typically has a one- to two-week period of recovery. Keep in mind that right after surgery, you'll be monitored for any serious complications before being allowed to go home that same day.3
What can I expect during recovery from eyelid surgery?
After eyelid surgery, you may deal with some temporary side effects such as:3
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Double vision
- Watery eyes
- Bruising and swelling of the eyes
- Eye pain and discomfort
Tips for eyelid surgery recovery
During the recovery process, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions, which will help prevent infections or irritation of the surgical sutures. Typically, after surgery, you should:
- Apply prescription eye ointments and drops to your eyes to prevent infections and dryness.1
- Use pillows to elevate your head above your chest while you sleep for the first week after surgery. This helps prevent further swelling.3
- Apply cool compresses or ice to the eye area at least four or more times per day for the first week or two.1
- Wear sunglasses during the day to protect your eyes from the sun for at least two weeks after surgery. Your eyes will be much more sensitive to light as they heal.3
After surgery, for at least the first two weeks of recovery, you should avoid:
- Exercise and other strenuous activity1
- Swimming and water sports4
- Putting on makeup in the eye area4
- Touching the area around your eyes, which can cause infection and irritation of the incisions1
- Wearing your contact lenses1
How Can I Finance and Pay for Eyelid Surgery Costs?
Most cosmetic or plastic surgeons expect payment on the day of your procedure. There are a few payment options available:
- Tap into savings to pay for the plastic surgery if you have the funds available
- Almost all surgeons accept general purpose credit cards, so you can pay for your procedure over time
- Many surgeons accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a convenient way to pay for the cosmetic surgery
Is Eyelid Surgery Worth It?
For those dealing with droopy eyelids or under-eye bags, eyelid surgery may be just what you're looking for. Not only will this popular plastic surgery procedure help you look younger and more rejuvenated, it may even help relieve any vision issues you are dealing with related to sagging eyelids.
While health insurance might cover the cost of eyelid surgery, unless it is considered medically necessary to treat a vision problem, you will have to pay for this pricey outpatient procedure yourself out of pocket. But the results are long-lasting, usually for up to 15 years or more, making the cost worth it.1
To determine if this procedure is right for you, speak with your doctor and an oculoplastic surgeon. They can give you a better idea of whether eyelid surgery will give you the results you're looking for and can help you determine the best way to finance the costs involved.
Financing for Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) With The CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for eyelid surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
Author Bio
Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 18 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care, and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.