Eye Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Types, Cost, Recovery & Results
Eye lifting surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes or repositions excess eyelid skin, muscle and fat to treat hooded upper lids and under-eye bags. It can be done on the upper lids, lower lids or both. Most people look presentable within 10 to 14 days. A drooping lid caused by a weak muscle (ptosis) or a low brow needs different surgery.
This page is the hub of our eye lift series. It covers the basics and links to detailed guides on each type, results, recovery and alternatives.
| Quick facts | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Operating time | About 45 minutes to 2.5 hours (NHS) |
| Anaesthesia | Local, IV sedation or general |
| Stitches out | Within about a week |
| Presentable | 10 to 14 days (ASPS) |
| US surgeon fee, 2024 | Upper $3,000 to $5,500; lower $3,709 to $6,500 (ASPS) |
| Results | Long-lasting, though aging continues |
What is eye lifting surgery?
Eye lifting surgery reshapes the eyelids by removing loose skin and adjusting fat and muscle, for appearance, vision or both.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) describes eyelid surgery as treating loose upper-lid skin that forms folds and can block vision, puffy fat deposits, under-eye bags, excess lower-lid skin and fine wrinkles, and lower lids that droop enough to show white below the iris. Eyelid cosmetic surgery was the fifth most common cosmetic operation in the US in 2024, with 120,755 procedures.
Good candidates are healthy, don’t smoke, have no serious eye conditions and have realistic expectations. A plastic surgery eye lift won’t fix a low brow, crow’s feet or hollows by itself. ASPS notes that a heavy upper lid sometimes comes from a drooping brow, which eyelid surgery alone may not correct. Our guide to eye lift for hooded eyes explains how to tell the difference.
Upper vs lower eye lift
An upper eye lift treats hooding through the eyelid crease; a lower eye lift treats bags through an incision below the lashes or inside the lid.
According to ASPS and the National Health Service (NHS, UK), the eye lift operation works like this:
- Upper lids: the incision follows the natural crease, so the scar hides in the fold. The surgeon removes skin and may remove or reposition fat and tighten muscle.
- Lower lids, external approach: an incision just below the lashes allows skin removal and fat repositioning.
- Lower lids, transconjunctival approach: an incision inside the lower lid lets the surgeon move or remove fat without visible scars, though no skin is removed.
The upper eye lift guide covers bruising and recovery, and the under eye lift guide compares surgery with threads. For people of East Asian heritage who want a defined crease, see our page on double eyelid surgery.
Ptosis vs cosmetic eyelid surgery
Ptosis surgery fixes a lid that droops because its lifting muscle is weak or detached; cosmetic blepharoplasty removes extra skin and fat.
In ptosis, the lid margin itself sits too low, often because the levator muscle has stretched with age, long-term contact lens wear or previous eye surgery. Eyelid correction surgery for ptosis tightens or reattaches that muscle. ASPS says drooping from a stretched muscle needs a different operation from a standard eye lift. Many people need both. Our eyelid ptosis surgery guide explains the types and insurance rules.
In my practice, I check lid height, brow position and skin excess separately at every eye consultation. Treating the wrong one is the most common reason people are unhappy with an eye lift.
Cost
ASPS reports 2024 US surgeon-fee ranges of $3,000 to $5,500 for upper and $3,709 to $6,500 for lower blepharoplasty.
ASPS lists average fees of $3,359 for upper and $3,876 for lower eyelid surgery, excluding anaesthesia, facility and other costs. In the UK, the NHS gives a range of about £2,000 to £6,000. Insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic surgery. Removing skin that blocks vision may be covered if tests show a real loss of visual field.
Recovery
Most people take about two weeks off work, with bruising fading over several weeks and scars settling over a few months.
The NHS says most people go home the same day and take about two weeks off work. Expect swelling, bruising, dry or watery eyes and lids that feel tight to close at first. Cold compresses, ointment, sleeping with the head raised and wearing sunglasses all help. Avoid contact lenses during recovery and don’t drive for several days. ASPS says results are long-lasting, though final healing takes a few months. Our eye lift before and after guide shows what changes over that time.
Risks to discuss
- Dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes and light sensitivity.
- Lower lid pulling down or rolling outward (ectropion).
- Asymmetry, scarring and the need for revision.
- Very rarely, bleeding behind the eye and vision loss.
Non-surgical options
Botox, fillers, threads and energy treatments can give a small lift or soften hollows, but none removes excess eyelid skin.
Botulinum toxin can raise the brow tail slightly, and one hyaluronic acid filler was FDA-approved in 2023 for under-eye hollows. Plasma pens near the eyes carry burn risks. Compare them in our non-surgical eye lift guide and the fox eye thread lift guide. For at-home approaches, see natural eye lift methods, eye lift creams and patches and eye lifting makeup.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on eye lifting blepharoplasty cost, how long results last, how to get an eye lift, insurance and the right age.
What is the eye lifting blepharoplasty cost?
ASPS reports 2024 US surgeon fees of $3,000 to $5,500 for upper and $3,709 to $6,500 for lower eyelid surgery. Anaesthesia and facility fees are extra. In the UK, the NHS quotes about £2,000 to £6,000, plus consultations and follow-up.
How long does an eye lift last?
ASPS describes results as long-lasting, but the skin and brows keep aging. Some people choose a second procedure many years later. Sun protection, not smoking and a stable weight help results hold for longer.
How do I get an eye lift?
Start with a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon. They will check your eye health, lid height, brow position and skin excess, then recommend the right procedure. In England, check the clinic is registered with the CQC and the surgeon with the GMC.
Will insurance pay for an eye lift?
Not for appearance alone. If extra skin or a drooping lid blocks your upper vision, insurers may pay after visual field testing and photos. US Medicare criteria, for example, look for a measurable loss of upper visual field that improves when the lid is taped up.
What is the right age for blepharoplasty?
There’s no set age. In 2024 ASPS data, 56% of eyelid surgeries were in people aged 55 to 69 and 25% in those aged 40 to 54. Younger people sometimes have inherited bags or crease surgery.
Guides in this series
Explore each topic in depth, from upper and lower lifts and ptosis repair to non-surgical treatments and at-home methods.
- Upper eye lift: recovery and bruising
- Under eye lift: surgery vs threads
- Before and after results
- Eyelid ptosis surgery
- Hooded eyes: brow lift or eye lift?
- Double eyelid and Asian eye lift
- Botox, filler, threads and plasma pen
- Fox eye thread lift
- Exercises, face yoga and gua sha
- Creams, patches and strips
- Makeup tricks for a lifted look
If you’d like a personal assessment of your eyelids and brows, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Eyelid surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Eyelid surgery: Procedure steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Eyelid surgery: Candidates. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Eyelid surgery: Results. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Eyelid surgery: Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Eyelid surgery. National Health Service (NHS, UK). Reviewed 2023. nhs.uk
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- Interest in aesthetic health remained consistent despite economic uncertainty in 2024. ASPS press release. 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- Restylane Eyelight (P040024/S135). US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2023. fda.gov
- Blepharoplasty LCD L34028 prior authorization checklist. University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. 2020. med.jax.ufl.edu
