What Is Blepharoplasty? Upper vs. Lower Eyelid Surgery Explained

Blepharoplasty is surgery that removes or repositions excess skin, muscle, and fat around the eyelids. It's one of the most requested facial procedures, since tired-looking eyes are often one of the first visible signs people notice as skin around the eyes loses elasticity.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess skin that droops over the eyelid crease, sometimes low enough to sit in the field of vision. Beyond the aesthetic improvement, this can genuinely open up the visual field for patients whose vision was being affected by heavy upper lids.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower eyelid surgery addresses puffiness, under-eye bags, and looseness in the lower lid — concerns that are cosmetic rather than functional, since lower lid skin doesn't typically obstruct vision the way upper lid skin can.

Which One Do You Need?

• Heavy, hooded upper eyelids, especially if affecting your side vision — upper blepharoplasty
• Puffiness or bags mainly under the eyes — lower blepharoplasty
• Concerns in both areas — the two are frequently combined in a single procedure

A proper assessment of eyelid skin, fat distribution, and eyebrow position determines which is right for you — see the blepharoplasty procedure page for what a consultation involves.