Eyelid Surgery
What is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance or function of the eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It can be cosmetic (to address aging signs) or functional (to correct vision obstruction). In India, blepharoplasty is performed in ophthalmology or plastic surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients in India to make informed decisions.
Why you need Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?
Blepharoplasty is indicated for:
- Cosmetic concerns:
- Droopy upper eyelids: Excess skin causing a tired or aged appearance.
- Puffy eyelids: Fat bulges creating “bags” in upper or lower lids.
- Lower eyelid sagging: Wrinkles, excess skin, or dark circles.
- Functional issues:
- Dermatochalasis: Excess upper eyelid skin impairing vision (e.g., blocking peripheral vision).
- Ectropion: Lower eyelid turning outward, causing irritation or tearing.
- Entropion: Lower eyelid turning inward, causing lashes to rub against the cornea.
- Other conditions:
- Ptosis (if combined with ptosis repair): Drooping eyelid due to muscle weakness.
- Post-trauma or tumor: Reconstruction after injury or lesion removal.
The procedure aims to enhance eyelid appearance, improve vision (if functional), and correct eyelid malpositions, boosting confidence and comfort.
Why Do Blepharoplasty Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹40,000 to ₹1.5 lakh :
- Procedure Type: Upper or lower alone (₹40,000–₹80,000); both upper and lower (₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹10,000–₹30,000, if functional).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced oculoplastic or plastic surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹5,000–₹15,000), pre-op tests (₹2,000–₹5,000), post-op medications (₹1,000–₹3,000).
- Insurance: Covered for functional cases (e.g., vision impairment); cosmetic cases typically not covered; confirm with your provider.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Assessment:
- Ophthalmic exam: Checks vision, tear production (Schirmer’s test), and eyelid function.
- Visual field test: Confirms vision obstruction (functional cases).
- Photographs: Document eyelid appearance for planning and insurance (if functional).
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile (to assess bleeding risk).
- Medications: Stop blood thinners (e.g., aspirin) 5–7 days prior if safe; antibiotic eye drops (e.g., moxifloxacin) 1 day pre-surgery.
- Consent: Risks, including scarring, are explained.
- Assessment:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Upper Blepharoplasty:
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation, lasting 45–60 minutes.
- An incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid (hides scar).
- Excess skin, muscle, and/or fat are removed or repositioned.
- The incision is closed with fine sutures (removed after 5–7 days).
- Lower Blepharoplasty:
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation, lasting 1–1.5 hours.
- Transconjunctival approach (preferred, no visible scar): Incision inside the lower eyelid to remove or reposition fat.
- Subciliary approach (if skin removal needed): Incision just below the lash line; excess skin and fat are removed.
- Sutures (if used) are removed after 5–7 days.
- Combined Procedures:
- Often paired with ptosis repair (for droopy lids) or canthopexy (tightens lower lid).
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Operating microscope: Enhances precision.
- Cautery: Controls bleeding.
- Fine sutures: Minimize scarring.
- Upper Blepharoplasty:
- After Surgery:
- Observation: Same-day discharge.
- Eye care: Antibiotic/steroid ointment (e.g., tobramycin-dexamethasone) for 1–2 weeks; cold compresses to reduce swelling.
- Pain management: Mild discomfort managed with acetaminophen.
- Instructions: Avoid rubbing eyes, makeup, or strenuous activity for 2 weeks; sleep with head elevated.
Recovery After Blepharoplasty
- Immediate Recovery: Same-day discharge; swelling/bruising peaks at 2–3 days.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Swelling/Bruising: Around eyes for 1–2 weeks; cold compresses for 48 hours, then warm compresses help.
- Pain: Mild discomfort for 3–5 days, managed with acetaminophen.
- Eye care: Apply antibiotic/steroid ointment 2–3 times daily for 1–2 weeks; avoid water or makeup for 2 weeks.
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or bending for 2 weeks; normal activities (e.g., reading) in 3–5 days.
- Vision: Temporary blurriness (due to swelling or ointment) for 1–2 days.
- Sutures: Removed after 5–7 days (if not dissolvable).
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week (suture removal), 1 month, and 3 months to monitor healing.
- Final results: Visible at 3–6 months once swelling fully resolves.
Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks; full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. Cosmetic outcome: 90–95% achieve a refreshed appearance; functional cases report 85–90% vision improvement (if vision was impaired).
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (1–3%): Hematoma or bruising; may need drainage if severe.
- Infection (1–2%): Redness, swelling, or discharge; treated with antibiotics.
- Scarring (1–3%): Usually minimal and hidden in natural creases; hypertrophic scars rare.
- Post-Surgery:
- Dry eyes (5–10%): Temporary, due to altered tear production; managed with artificial tears.
- Asymmetry (2–5%): Uneven eyelid appearance; may need revision surgery.
- Lagophthalmos (1–3%): Incomplete eyelid closure; usually temporary, resolves in weeks; severe cases may need correction.
- Ectropion/Entropion (<1%): Lower lid malposition; may require revision surgery.
- Long-Term:
- Over/Undercorrection (2–5%): Too much or too little tissue removed; may need revision.
- Vision changes (<1%): Rare; due to corneal irritation or pressure changes.
- Emotional impact: 5–10% may need time to adjust to new appearance; counseling helps.
Report severe pain, vision loss, excessive swelling, or discharge promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for blepharoplasty?
Aging (sagging skin, fat prolapse), genetics, trauma, or functional issues like vision obstruction or eyelid malposition.
Can I avoid blepharoplasty?
Yes, for mild cosmetic concerns: Non-surgical options like Botox, fillers, or laser resurfacing; functional cases often require surgery.
Is blepharoplasty painful?
No, performed under anesthesia; mild discomfort post-surgery for 3–5 days, managed with medication.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities in 3–5 days; normal routines in 1–2 weeks; full recovery in 4–6 weeks.
Is blepharoplasty covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for functional cases (e.g., vision impairment); cosmetic cases typically not covered; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Severe pain, vision loss, excessive swelling, or discharge.
Will I have visible scars?
Minimal; scars are hidden in natural eyelid creases (upper) or inside the lid (transconjunctival lower); fade over 6–12 months.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Avoid rubbing eyes or makeup for 2 weeks, use prescribed ointments, wear sunglasses for UV protection, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Blepharoplasty is a safe and effective procedure to enhance eyelid appearance or correct functional issues, with a quick recovery and high patient satisfaction. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable, expert care, with insurance coverage for functional cases. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult an oculoplastic surgeon or ophthalmologist for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Eyelid Surgery
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Ahmedabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ajmer |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Aligarh |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Allahabad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Amritsar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Aurangabad |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bangalore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Bareilly |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Belgaum |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhopal |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Bikaner |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Chandigarh |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Chennai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dehradun |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Delhi |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Durgapur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Faridabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Guntur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gurgaon |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Guwahati |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Gwalior |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Hyderabad |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Indore |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jabalpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Jaipur |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jamshedpur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Jodhpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kanpur |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Kochi |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kolkata |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Kollam |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Lucknow |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ludhiana |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Madurai |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Mangalore |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Meerut |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Moradabad |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Mumbai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Mysore |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Nagpur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Nashik |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Noida |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Patna |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Pune |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Raipur |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Rajkot |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Ranchi |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Surat |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Thane |
80,000 |
2,50,000 |
Vadodara |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Varanasi |
50,000 |
1,80,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
60,000 |
2,00,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.