Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) — what you should know in 2026
How eyelid surgery refreshes tired-looking eyes, the difference between upper and lower lids, and how to choose a surgeon.
Written by our medical board, reviewed quarterlyUpdated 21 January 19708 min read
What eyelid surgery does
Blepharoplasty rejuvenates the eye area by removing or repositioning excess skin and fat on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. People seek it for hooded or droopy upper lids that can make them look tired or even crowd their vision, and for under-eye bags and puffiness that make the face look worn regardless of how rested they are.
It is one of the most popular facial procedures because the eyes are so central to expression, and a relatively small change can refresh the whole face. It does not remove dark circles caused by pigmentation or treat crow's-feet (the territory of fillers, resurfacing, or botulinum toxin), so it pairs well with other treatments for a complete result.
Upper versus lower lids
Upper blepharoplasty removes a strip of excess skin (and sometimes a little fat) through an incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease, opening up a hooded eye. It is a comparatively quick procedure with a discreet scar. When hooding is severe enough to obstruct vision, the upper-lid version can be partly functional.
Lower blepharoplasty addresses bags and puffiness, repositioning or removing fat and tightening skin, often through an incision just below the lash line or, when only fat needs adjusting, hidden inside the eyelid with no external scar. The two can be done together, and either can be combined with a brow lift or facelift for overall harmony.
Cost and inclusions
Eyelid surgery is among the more affordable facial procedures. In medical-tourism hubs, upper-lid surgery alone can start in the low thousands of euros, with combined upper-and-lower surgery commonly in a broad band of roughly 2,000 to 4,500 euros. Packages typically include the surgeon, anaesthesia, the facility, and follow-up.
Confirm whether the quote is for upper, lower, or both, since this drives the price, and whether it includes any sedation or local-only anaesthesia. Combining with a brow lift or facelift naturally increases the cost, so compare equivalent scope.
Choosing a surgeon
The eyes are delicate and unforgiving, so precision and conservative judgement matter: removing too much skin or fat can cause functional and aesthetic problems that are hard to reverse. Review before-and-after photos for natural, open eyes that still close and blink normally, and ask how the surgeon avoids over-resection.
Look for board certification in plastic, facial plastic, or oculoplastic surgery — the last being eyelid specialists — and JCI, TEMOS, or ISO facility accreditation. Mention any dry-eye tendency or thyroid eye disease at consultation, as these affect candidacy and planning.
Recovery and timeline
Recovery is relatively quick. Expect bruising and swelling around the eyes for about one to two weeks, with most people feeling presentable enough to be out, often with light camouflage, after roughly ten days. Cold compresses and head elevation help in the first days, and reading or screen time may tire the eyes early on.
The fine incision lines fade over months and usually become very hard to see. Final refinement of the eye shape settles over a few weeks to months. Plan to stay abroad until cleared to travel, typically about a week, and avoid strenuous activity that raises pressure around the eyes initially.
Risks and considerations
Specific risks include temporary dry, watery, or irritated eyes, difficulty fully closing the lids early on, asymmetry, and — uncommonly with experienced surgeons — over-correction that pulls the lower lid down. Serious problems affecting vision are rare but are the reason eyelid surgery should only be done by appropriately trained surgeons.
Results are long-lasting, especially for the upper lids, though the face continues to age around them. Ask about the clinic's revision approach and how any eye-comfort problem would be managed after you return home, and follow eye-lubrication advice carefully in the early healing period.
Frequently asked
Will eyelid surgery remove my dark circles?
Not if they are caused by pigmentation. It addresses puffiness, bags, and excess skin; pigment-based circles need other treatments like fillers or resurfacing.
Can upper eyelid surgery improve my vision?
Yes, when hooded skin is heavy enough to obstruct your field of view. In those cases the upper-lid procedure can be partly functional.
How visible are the scars?
Upper-lid incisions hide in the eyelid crease and lower ones below the lashes or inside the lid, fading to be very discreet over months.
How long is the recovery?
Bruising and swelling settle over one to two weeks, with most people presentable after about ten days, often with light make-up to camouflage.
Is it painful?
Most patients report mild discomfort and tightness rather than pain, well controlled with simple measures. The eyes may feel dry or watery early on.
How long do results last?
They are long-lasting, especially for the upper lids, though the surrounding face keeps ageing naturally over the years.
