Is eyelid surgery safe? Are complications common?

Eyelid correction is one of the most common aesthetic surgeries. The procedure is completely safe, with predictable and lasting results. If complications do occur, they are usually minor and cosmetic—such as slight asymmetry or undercorrection. Serious complications like bleeding, hematoma, infection, nerve damage, or ectropion are extremely rare.

How long does the effect of eyelid correction last?

The effect of eyelid correction is long-lasting. However, we cannot ignore the fact that aging continues despite the procedure. The rejuvenating effect usually lasts at least 10 years, but to maintain a fresh, open look, the procedure may eventually need to be repeated.

Client asks: "The skin around my eyes bothers me because it’s wrinkled, and I also have under-eye bags. What can I do?"

For a more youthful and refreshed appearance around the eyes, we typically perform upper blepharoplasty. If under-eye bags and excess skin of the lower eyelids are also present, lower blepharoplasty is recommended. Upper eyelid correction is usually done under local anesthesia, while correction of both upper and lower eyelids is performed under general anesthesia. The small sutures are removed within a week, which is also how long swelling usually lasts.

Upper Eyelid Correction (Upper Blepharoplasty)

Even a small change on the upper or lower eyelids can make a significant difference to the face.
Upper eyelid correction is a surgical procedure that precisely removes excess skin from the upper eyelids, reduces fat pads, and tightens the muscle located in the upper eyelid.
A pre-operative examination and discussion about your wishes and options is crucial in planning the procedure. Before eyelid surgery, we will go over the extent of the procedure and the scar placement.
The upper blepharoplasty procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia and takes about one hour.
Recovery after upper eyelid correction lasts a few days, stitches are removed after one week, and bruising and swelling subside around the same time. Pain is minimal and complications are rare.
After surgery, the wound is treated with antibiotic or vitamin ointment, and cold compresses are recommended to reduce swelling.
The post-operative scar follows the natural eyelid crease and is completely invisible.
When combined with Botox, fine wrinkles (crow’s feet) around the eyes and vertical lines between the eyebrows can also be effectively treated.
Due to swelling and bruising, patients are advised to take time off work. The less movement, the faster the healing.
Aerobic exercise, lifting, and straining should be avoided for one to two weeks. Contact lens use is not allowed for one week.
We recommend resting with the head elevated after the procedure.

More About Upper Blepharoplasty

We often hear that the eyes are the mirror of the soul, but in reality, they often don’t reflect how we truly feel. We’re frequently asked if we’re tired, sad, or suffering from allergies. Dark circles, patches of discolored skin under the eyes, and sagging excess skin on the upper eyelids are among the features that age the face the most. The eye area is attractive when everything is in place and in harmonious proportions. Excess skin on the upper eyelid often disrupts this balance — in some cases, there is so much skin that it even impairs vision.

AESTHETICS OF THE EYE AND EYELID THAT GIVES THE FACE A YOUTHFUL LOOK

The crease of the upper eyelid, formed by the insertion of the levator muscle into the skin, should be crisp and well-defined. The eye opening should resemble an almond shape — more vertical on the inner corner and more slanted on the outer side. A youthful and aesthetically pleasing lower eyelid is slightly full, smooth, and angled slightly upward at the outer corner — what we call a positive canthal tilt. This upward angle is key to a youthful expression.

Equally important is a smooth transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek. The soft tissues of the cheeks gently slide over the firm cheekbone; with age, the bony edge of the eye socket becomes more pronounced and darker. Above it, the once taut septum that held the delicate orbital fat in place becomes lax and forms under-eye bags. With age, the skin of the eyelids becomes thinner and looser.

AT WHAT AGE DO CLIENTS USUALLY OPT FOR EYELID SURGERY?

"Eyelid procedures can be performed at any age, most often after the age of 40. Fullness and laxity of the upper eyelid can, in some cases, result from drooping of the forehead and eyebrows—in such cases, a brow lift is the more appropriate procedure.

The most popular and commonly performed aesthetic procedure among clients is upper blepharoplasty, where precisely measured excess skin of the upper eyelid is removed, fat pads are reduced if necessary, and the muscle located in the upper eyelid is tightened.

It is essential to measure exactly how much skin will be removed before the operation to ensure the eyelids can still close. The scar is hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid and is therefore invisible."

CANTOPLASTY – ANOTHER EYE AREA REJUVENATION TECHNIQUE

"One of the eye rejuvenation techniques is also canthoplasty, a procedure in which the ligaments supporting the outer eye corner are tightened, and the shape of the eye is modified to achieve a subtle upward slant.

If the position of the eye corner is adequate, we simply support it with a canthopexy. These procedures can also prevent the lower eyelid from pulling or turning outward.

A functional blepharoplasty refers to a procedure that removes skin and improves eye function when the upper eyelid skin hangs over the lash line, pressing on the eyelashes and impairing vision. It is a medical, not aesthetic, procedure."

HOW IS THE RECOVERY AFTER UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY?

"After the surgery, the client applies antibiotic or vitamin ointment to the incision sites. The same ointment is used to protect the eyes during the procedure, so vision may be slightly blurred immediately afterward.

The ointment prevents dryness and infection. Due to swelling and the presence of thin sutures, contact lenses cannot be worn for about a week—we recommend wearing glasses.

Dark sunglasses are not only useful for disguising the eyes during outings but also for protecting them from sunlight."

The thin skin around the eyes is prone to swelling. To reduce swelling and speed up recovery, we recommend cold compresses in the first 24–48 hours (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) and sleeping with an elevated head.
Avoid bending your head below your shoulders. Lymphatic drainage is recommended but not earlier than 14 days after surgery, once the sutures are removed.
Bruising is always expected due to the delicate skin and rich blood supply of the eyelids, and it typically disappears within a week.

Sutures are removed 3–5 days after the procedure. After suture removal, it is crucial to let the scar rest—avoid rubbing, scratching, or pulling.
Sutures on the inner eyelid dissolve on their own within a few days. In rare cases, they may irritate the eye, causing tearing, redness, and discomfort. In such cases, the surgeon will remove them.

Swelling typically subsides within one to two weeks, allowing the client to assess the initial results. However, the final appearance of the eyelids is only visible after 6 weeks.
If canthopexy was also performed, swelling and tightness in the eye corners may last a bit longer.
Postoperative scars are hidden in the mucosa of the inner eyelid or in the natural crease on the outside and are completely invisible.

Adverse effects are rare. The client may experience excessive or reduced tearing, and rarely, dry eye or a gritty sensation. These symptoms are treated with artificial tears or medicated eye drops and usually resolve within a week.