Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is used to remove the fat deposits and loose skin that may form on the upper or lower eyelids with age. Many factors, including heredity and sun damage will make these changes progress faster.

The operation on its own can brighten you, but is often carried out at the same time as other procedures, such as facelift and chin tuck.

The eyelid itself consists of skin lined with mucous membrane. It has its own layer of fat and its own set of muscles which open or close it. As we age, the ligaments supporting the fat in the eyelid will weaken. This process will cause the fat to drop and settle into a bag where the skin is thin. The usual problem with lower eyelids is weakness in the wall supporting the fat that pads our eye. This will lead to development of fatty deposits under the eyes. During lower eyelid procedure these fat pads are simply removed and the skin is closed with very fine stitches.

With top eyelids the usual problem is too much skin. The cut is made in a crease of the upper eyelid skin. Along with the skin, the surgeon also removes the fat which accumulates beneath the muscle that is responsible for screwing up the eye.