SURGERY AROUND THE EYES
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery addresses age-related anatomical changes in the upper eyelids. Planning examines eyelid skin, the eyelid crease, soft tissues and brow position together.
- Region
- Upper eyelid
- Assessment
- Upper eyelid and brow relationship
- Related area
- Brows and upper face
01 / UPPER EYELIDS
What Is Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery, or upper blepharoplasty, surgically addresses age-related anatomical changes in the upper eyelids. Assessment focuses both on the eyelid's own structure and on its relationship with neighbouring areas.
Eyelid skin, the eyelid crease, soft tissues and brow position together shape the upper eyelid's appearance. Existing differences between the two sides and the natural characteristics of the eye area are distinguished during examination.
Assoc. Prof. Mehti Şalvız assesses excess skin and folds in the upper eyelid and, less often, fullness related to fatty tissue. Findings within the eyelid itself and appearance arising from brow position are considered separately.
02 / AGEING OF THE UPPER EYELIDS
What Changes Can Develop in the Upper Eyelids with Age?
Over time, eyelid skin characteristics, soft-tissue position and the eyelid–brow relationship may change. These changes may not be distributed identically on the two sides.
The amount of tissue visible in the upper eyelid reflects the combined effects of skin, the eyelid crease and the brow line. The individual's natural eye-area characteristics and changes that become apparent later are examined separately.
Planning considers soft tissues and brow position alongside the skin surface within the same anatomical framework.
Upper Eyelid Skin
The skin's current characteristics and distribution across the upper eyelid are assessed.
Eyelid Crease
The crease's relationship with other structures around the eye is considered.
Soft Tissues
The position and appearance of tissues around the eyelid are examined together.
Brow Position
The possible effect of the brow line on upper eyelid appearance is taken into account.
03 / 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. The position of the brow line changes the visible upper eyelid area and the amount of tissue seen over the eyelid.
Brow drooping and excess upper eyelid skin are not the same finding. The eyelid's resting appearance and the brow's natural position are examined together to distinguish each area's contribution.
The doctor always assesses upper eyelid appearance together with brow position. If brow drooping causes the folded appearance, a brow lift or a combined plan for both procedures may be considered.
04 / SURGICAL ASSESSMENT
How Is Upper Eyelid Surgery Assessed?
Upper eyelid assessment is not reduced to the amount of eyelid skin or a single feature of appearance. Eyelid skin is one of the upper eyelid's externally visible surfaces; it is perceived together with the eyelid crease, the natural fold line, and the surrounding soft tissues. Soft tissues affect the overall contour of the eye area and the transition between the eyelid and the area beneath the brow. The relationships between these areas cannot be explained by looking at the skin alone.
The contribution of brow position to the visible upper eyelid area is examined separately; brow drooping and changes in the upper eyelid's own tissues are not the same anatomical condition. Differences between the two sides are considered together with the eyelid's appearance at rest and during facial expression. Assessment does not rely on a single photograph or momentary expression. Previous procedures around the eyes, general health information and expectations are considered alongside anatomical findings; the surgical scope is shaped by examining these relationships together.
Upper Eyelid Skin
Eyelid Crease
Brow Position
Soft Tissues
Previous procedures
General health
05 / SURGICAL PROCESS
Before Upper Eyelid Surgery and the Surgical Process
Preoperative assessment
Before surgery, general health, medication use, existing conditions around the eyes, previous procedures and expectations are considered. Eyelid skin, the crease, soft tissues, the brow line and differences between the two sides shape the surgical scope.
Preparation for upper eyelid surgery is arranged according to health information and the planned scope. The doctor's individual instructions guide medication use and other matters before surgery.
Surgical process
The surgical scope is planned according to the relationships between the prominent structures in the upper eyelid. Procedures involving the brow are a separate surgical area; whether both regions are included in the same plan depends on examination findings.
For the upper eyelid, the doctor considers local or general anaesthesia and anticipates approximately one hour or less, with discharge on the same day. The total duration is planned separately if other procedures are combined.
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 upper eyelid incision is made through the eyelid skin. The doctor usually uses non-absorbable sutures and removes them approximately one week after surgery; he states that he does not apply a bandage.
- Assessment
- Planning
- Procedure
- Follow-up
06 / RECOVERY AND FOLLOW-UP
After Upper Eyelid Surgery
Recovery process
Swelling, oedema or bruising may occur around the eyes early on; the two sides may not look the same at every stage. Tissue healing and adaptation to surrounding structures are assessed throughout follow-up.
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
Upper eyelid surgery does not stop natural ageing. Subsequent appearance is affected by the changing relationships between eyelid skin, brow position and the upper face.
Anatomy, skin and tissue characteristics, lifestyle habits and the scope of the procedure mean that a definite duration of results cannot be given. Results are assessed through clinical follow-up findings.
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.
07 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Eyelid Surgery
What is upper eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery surgically addresses age-related anatomical changes in the upper eyelids. Planning is based on the relationship between eyelid skin, soft tissues and brow position.
What does upper blepharoplasty mean?
Upper blepharoplasty is the medical name for upper eyelid surgery. The scope of the procedure is determined by upper eyelid anatomy.
Are brow drooping and upper eyelid sagging the same thing?
No. Brow position and changes in upper eyelid tissues are two separate anatomical findings. Examination distinguishes which region contributes more to the upper eyelid's appearance.
Who may be assessed for upper eyelid surgery?
Changes in the upper eyelids, skin and soft tissues, brow position and general health are examined together. Suitability is based on examination findings.
Are upper and lower eyelid surgery the same procedure?
No. The anatomy and surgical plan differ between the upper and lower eyelids. Both areas may be included in one plan; the framework specific to the lower eyelid is explained on a separate page.
Is recovery after upper 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.
Does upper eyelid surgery leave scars?
Upper eyelid surgery involves a surgical incision. The incision is planned according to the technique; scar healing is monitored alongside skin and tissue characteristics.
Are upper eyelid surgery results permanent?
Upper eyelid surgery does not stop natural ageing. Subsequent appearance relates to anatomy, tissue characteristics, brow position and lifestyle habits; a definite duration of results 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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