FACIAL REJUVENATION SURGERY
Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) addresses age-related anatomical changes in the upper and lower eyelids. Each area is planned separately because the eyelids differ in structure and in their relationships with surrounding tissues.
- Region
- Upper and lower eyelids
- Assessment
- Anatomy of the eye area
- Related area
- Brows and upper face
01 / EYELID SURGERY
What Is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, surgically addresses anatomical changes in the upper and/or lower eyelids. The term covers approaches whose scope varies with the eyelid being assessed, rather than a single procedure.
Eyelid skin, surrounding soft tissues, the under-eye–cheek transition and brow position make different contributions to the appearance of the eye area. The structures assessed in the upper and lower eyelids are not the same.
Assoc. Prof. Mehti Şalvız carries out a surgical assessment when excess skin causes folds in the upper or lower eyelids, or when under-eye bags or sagging are present. Decisions are based on findings rather than age. If both eyelids require treatment, a combined procedure may be considered; expectations and risks are assessed separately.
02 / AGEING AROUND THE EYES
What Changes Can Develop Around the Eyes with Age?
The eye area consists of thin, mobile tissues. With age, the properties of the skin and soft tissues in the upper and lower eyelids change in different ways.
In the upper eyelid, the skin, eyelid crease and brow position are prominent considerations; in the lower eyelid, these are the skin, soft-tissue and volume distribution, and the under-eye–cheek transition.
Lines, excess skin, tissue position and volume distribution are separate anatomical findings. Clinical examination distinguishes which structures contribute to the appearance.
Upper Eyelid
The eyelid skin, eyelid crease and anatomical relationship with the brow may be assessed.
Lower Eyelid
The lower eyelid tissues and their transition into neighbouring anatomical areas may be considered.
Under-eye Area
The contribution of skin, soft tissues and volume distribution to the appearance may be examined.
Brow–Eyelid Relationship
Brow position and the appearance of the upper eyelid may be assessed together.
03 / UPPER AND LOWER EYELIDS
What Is the Difference Between Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery?
The upper and lower eyelids do not have the same anatomical structures. Upper eyelid assessment considers the skin, eyelid crease, surrounding tissues and brow relationship; lower eyelid assessment considers the skin, soft tissues, volume distribution and transition into the cheek.
The plan may include only the upper eyelids, only the lower eyelids, or both. Even when both areas are included in one plan, the surgical scope for each eyelid is based on its own anatomical findings.
The doctor explains that he makes an incision through the skin of the upper eyelid; for the lower eyelid, access may be approximately 2–3 mm below the eyelashes or from inside the eyelid. This internal access to the lower eyelid should not be understood as a technique used for the upper eyelid.
Upper Eyelid
Assessment specific to the upper eyelid and the general surgical framework for this area are covered separately on the Upper Eyelid Surgery page.
Lower Eyelid
Anatomical assessment specific to the lower eyelid and its general surgical framework are explained separately on the Lower Eyelid Surgery page.
04 / SURGICAL ASSESSMENT
How Is Eyelid Surgery Assessed?
The anatomy of the upper and lower eyelids is examined separately. Eyelid skin, soft tissues, the overall structure of the eye area and previous surgical or medical procedures inform planning.
In the upper eyelid, the effects of the eyelid crease and brow position are distinguished; in the lower eyelid, the skin, deeper soft tissues and under-eye–cheek transition are considered separately.
The eye area is assessed from the front and from different angles to establish how the two eyelids relate to each other and to the face as a whole. These anatomical findings determine the surgical scope.
Upper Eyelid
The eyelid structure and its relationship with the upper face may be examined.
Lower Eyelid
The relationship between the lower eyelid and under-eye tissues may be considered.
Skin and soft tissues
Tissue characteristics are assessed separately for each area.
Brow Position
The contribution of the brow to the upper eyelid's appearance may be examined.
Under-eye Area
The transition from the lower eyelid into the cheek may be assessed.
Previous procedures
Previous surgical or medical procedures may be taken into account.
05 / BROWS AND UPPER EYELIDS
The Relationship Between Brow Position and the Upper Eyelid
The brow and upper eyelid are different anatomical structures, but they affect each other in the appearance of the upper face. Brow position changes the amount of tissue visible over the upper eyelid and the distance between the eyelid and brow.
Excess upper eyelid skin and brow position are not the same finding. Assessment examines the natural brow position alongside the eyelid's resting appearance to distinguish each area's contribution.
Upper eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery are different surgical plans. The general framework for the brow area is explained on the Brow Lift Surgery page.
06 / SURGICAL PROCESS
Before Eyelid Surgery and the Surgical Process
Preoperative assessment
Before surgery, general health, medication use, existing conditions affecting the eye area and previous procedures are considered. Eyelid skin, soft tissues, brow position and the under-eye area determine whether the plan includes the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both.
Preparation is arranged according to health information and the surgical scope. The doctor's individual instructions guide medication use and other matters before surgery.
Surgical process
Because the upper and lower eyelids have different anatomical characteristics, the surgical approach is planned separately for each area. The plan may involve one or both eyelid regions.
The doctor offers local or general anaesthesia for eyelid procedures. He describes a procedure time of approximately one hour or less and discharge on the same day. When upper and lower eyelids are planned together, the total duration is determined separately.
An office or operating theatre is described as a possible setting. The selected anaesthesia and procedure setting are clarified together in the individual surgical plan.
The doctor usually uses non-absorbable sutures and removes them approximately one week after surgery. He does not apply a bandage. He notes that swelling may be somewhat greater when both upper and lower eyelids are treated together.
- Assessment
- Planning
- Procedure
- Follow-up
07 / RECOVERY AND FOLLOW-UP
After Eyelid Surgery
Recovery process
Recovery is monitored according to the scope of surgery on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Swelling, oedema or bruising may occur around the eyes in the early period.
The doctor anticipates approximately 5–7 days for a return to general daily life. Follow-up appointments are planned at one week, one month and six months. This timeframe does not automatically permit exercise, contact lens use, make-up or driving; each activity is assessed according to individual follow-up findings.
Contact the surgical team without delay if you develop new difficulty closing your eyes, changes in vision, severe pain or unexpected swelling. Do not assume that these findings will resolve on their own.[1]
Duration of results
Eyelid surgery does not stop natural ageing. The tissues around the eyes continue to age after surgery, and their appearance may change over time.
The appearance of the upper and lower eyelids changes over time according to their own anatomical characteristics and relationships with surrounding tissues. Anatomy, tissue structure, genetic factors, lifestyle habits and the surgical plan mean that a definite duration of results cannot be given.
The doctor uses approximately one month as a point for assessing appearance and approximately six months for a later assessment of scars. These timeframes do not mean that scars will disappear completely or that the appearance will remain unchanged.
08 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions About Eyelid Surgery
What is eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty is surgery involving the upper and/or lower eyelids. Because their anatomy differs, the skin and soft-tissue plan is developed separately for each region.
What does blepharoplasty mean?
Blepharoplasty is the medical name for eyelid surgery. The plan may involve the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both; its scope is determined by the anatomy of the eye area.
What is the difference between upper and lower eyelid surgery?
The upper and lower eyelids have different anatomical structures and relationships with surrounding tissues. The tissues assessed and the planning therefore differ; the two areas are discussed in detail on separate pages.
Who may be assessed for eyelid surgery?
Anatomical changes in the upper or lower eyelids, skin and soft tissues, brow position and general health are examined together. Suitability is determined through an individual examination.
Are brow drooping and upper eyelid sagging the same thing?
No. The brow and upper eyelid are different anatomical structures; brow position can affect the eyelid's appearance. Examination determines which area is included in the surgical scope.
Is recovery after eyelid surgery the same for everyone?
Recovery varies with the individual and the surgical scope. The doctor's approximate timeframe for returning to general daily life is 5–7 days; this does not constitute separate clearance for exercise, contact lenses, make-up or driving. Follow-ups are planned at one week, one month and six months.
Can upper and lower eyelid surgery be performed together?
The upper and lower eyelids can be addressed in the same surgical plan. Which eyelids are included is determined by the anatomical findings in each area.
Are eyelid surgery results permanent?
Eyelid surgery does not stop natural ageing. The appearance of results over time relates to anatomy, tissue characteristics, genetic factors and lifestyle habits; a definite duration cannot be given.
Sources
These sources provide general information; they are not evidence of an individual procedure or outcome.
- NHS. Eyelid surgery
Accessed on 6 September 2026. Used for general information about risks and seeking help.
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