Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty): when the time is right and what you can expect

Upper blepharoplasty, or upper eyelid correction, is a short and very effective procedure in which we remove excess skin and, if necessary, fat from the upper eyelids. In this way, we open up the gaze, reduce the appearance of tiredness, and often improve the visual field as well.

At Klinika Višnjar, this procedure is among the most common facial surgeries. It takes around 30 minutes, recovery is quick, and the result is long-lasting.

Top funnel: when should you start thinking about upper eyelid correction?

1. Signs that the upper eyelids are no longer just "slightly drooping"

The most common concerns we hear during consultation are:

"I always look tired, even when I have slept well."
"Eyeshadow transfers onto my upper eyelid and make-up does not stay in place."
"The skin rests on my eyelashes, and by the evening my eyes feel heavy."
"In photographs, it looks as if my eyes are half closed."

Typical signs that it may be time to think about blepharoplasty:

excess skin folds over the eyelid and extends beyond the natural crease
the skin rests on the eyelashes
make-up rubs off or smudges into the folds
the gaze looks optically narrowed and the eyes appear smaller
you often raise your eyebrows to "open" the eyes, which leads to forehead lines and headaches

In some people, excess skin is not only an aesthetic issue. It may begin to obstruct the visual field, especially in the upper part, which makes driving, reading, and working at a computer more difficult.

2. Why does the upper eyelid skin sag?

The main reasons are:

natural skin ageing, with loss of collagen and elasticity
genetics, some people have heavy eyelids already in their 30s, others only in their 60s
brow position and brow descent (brow ptosis)
the structure of enlarged fat pads above the eyes
lifestyle, UV exposure, and smoking

In our work, we always also assess brow position, because sometimes part of the problem lies not only in the eyelid, but in a descended brow. In such cases, combining surgery with a brow lift may sometimes make sense.

Middle funnel: what is upper blepharoplasty and who is it for?

3. What exactly do we do in upper eyelid surgery?

Upper blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure in which we:

precisely mark the excess skin on the upper eyelid
if needed, remove or reshape part of the fat pads as well
adjust the skin so that the incision is hidden in the natural eyelid crease
close the eyelid with fine sutures

The goal is to:

open up the gaze
reduce the feeling of heavy eyes
achieve a more rested, fresher facial expression

With the procedure, we therefore remove excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids, restore a more youthful appearance, and return a rested and refreshed look to the face.

4. Aesthetic and functional reasons for the procedure

The reasons for surgery may be:

Aesthetic

a tired, "closed" look
a wrinkled appearance of the skin above the eyes
make-up no longer applies nicely
the eyes appear optically smaller and heavier

Functional

narrowed upper visual field
a feeling of heaviness in the eyelids, especially in the evening
compensatory raising of the eyebrows, forehead tension, and headaches

Studies* show that upper eyelid surgery in patients with excess skin obstructing the visual field improves not only aesthetics, but also vision, peripheral vision, and quality of life.

At Klinika Višnjar, we often also combine this procedure with correction of the lower eyelids when under-eye bags or excess skin below the eye are also a concern. As part of full facial rejuvenation, it is also combined with facelift surgery.

5. How does the consultation work at Klinika Višnjar?

During the consultation:

we discuss what is bothering you and what kind of result you want
we assess the position of the eyelids, the brows, and skin quality
we evaluate whether the main issue is excess skin, fat, brow position, or a combination
if necessary, we check for any problems with dry eyes or other eye conditions
we answer questions about the procedure, recovery, and scars

Based on this, we prepare an individual plan, either upper blepharoplasty alone or a combination with other procedures in the eye and facial area.

6. How is upper eyelid surgery performed?

At Klinika Višnjar, we most often operate on the upper eyelids under local anaesthesia. If we are performing a more extensive procedure at the same time, for example lower eyelids as well or a facelift, we decide on general anaesthesia.

The typical course is:

with you standing, we mark the area of excess skin on the skin surface
under local anaesthesia, we numb the eyelid area
we remove the excess skin and, if necessary, part of the fat
we close the incision with fine sutures hidden in the natural eyelid crease

The procedure takes around 30 minutes, and about 60 minutes after surgery you may go home.

Bottom funnel: recovery, risks, and results

7. How does recovery after upper blepharoplasty progress?

Recovery is quick, but it is still important to take at least a week to reduce work-related strain. Recovery generally progresses like this:

first day: mild pain or a burning sensation, swelling, and bruising, which we relieve with cooling
first few days: we recommend rest, sleeping with the head slightly elevated, and no strenuous activity
approximately after 7 to 10 days: removal of sutures, by then most of the swelling has already significantly decreased
after 10 days: most patients return to lighter work, while bruising and swelling continue to settle
after a few weeks: the eyelids take on a more natural appearance, and the scar in the crease gradually softens and fades

With every procedure, you receive precise written instructions: how to cool the area, when you may wear make-up, when you may resume sports activities, and how to protect the skin from the sun.

8. Risks and possible complications

Upper blepharoplasty is among the most common aesthetic facial procedures and has a very good safety profile, but that does not mean it is without risk.

Complications after surgery are rare and are most often mainly aesthetic in nature:

mild asymmetry
insufficient or slightly overdone correction

More serious complications, which are possible but rare, include:

bleeding and haematoma
infection
difficulty fully closing the eyelids (lagophthalmos), especially if too much skin were removed
worsening of dry eyes or eye irritation
damage to the surface of the eye in extreme cases

That is why a careful pre-operative examination, discussion of any eye-related problems, and conservative removal of skin are important before surgery.

9. How long does the result last?

The effect of upper eyelid correction is long-lasting, which in practice means:

the excess skin and fat that we remove do not return
ageing still continues, but from a changed starting point that is rejuvenated for many years

In practice, the result of upper blepharoplasty is visible for at least 10 years, and often longer. In some cases, especially with very thin skin and a strong genetic predisposition to drooping eyelids, a repeat procedure may later be considered.

10. Patient experience: "instead of a tired look, I can see my eyes again"

"I am 52 years old, and for the last few years I kept hearing comments like 'Are you tired?', even though I felt completely fine. The skin was hanging over my eyelid crease and my make-up smudged every day. By the evening, my eyes felt heavy.

At the consultation at Klinika Višnjar, they explained that this was not just about aesthetics, but that the excess skin was already slightly obstructing my upper visual field. We agreed on upper blepharoplasty under local anaesthesia.

The first days after the procedure I was bruised and swollen, but the pain was minimal. After a week, the sutures were removed, and after two weeks I looked better without make-up than before with it.

Today, people tell me I look rested, but nobody has realised that I had surgery. They just think I somehow look 'more open in the face'. That was my main goal, not to become another person, but to be myself again, without that heavy skin over my eyes."

Stories like this are very typical. Blepharoplasty does not change your personality, but it does change the way your eyes open to the world, and how the world sees you.

Where to start if you are considering upper blepharoplasty

If you are considering upper eyelid surgery, the first step is a consultation, not an immediate decision for surgery.

On the upper eyelid correction page, you can check the basic information and book an examination:

upper eyelid correction (upper blepharoplasty) – Klinika Višnjar https://klinikavisnjar.si/en/surgical-procedures/upper-eyelid-correction

During the consultation, we:

assess the condition of the skin and fat on the eyelids, as well as brow position
discuss your expectations and the realistic possibilities
explain how the procedure is performed, how long recovery takes, and what the risks are
answer your questions regarding work, make-up, sport, and the final result

The goal is clear: an open, rested gaze that rejuvenates you and at the same time makes daily life easier.