What is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?
In blepharoplasty, surplus eyelid skin, muscle and fat are either taken away or moved to a better position. The operation can involve the upper lids, the lower lids or all four. Upper lid surgery deals with hooding and heavy folds, while lower lid surgery addresses bags and puffiness beneath the eyes.
The goal is for the eyes to look more rested and fresh without looking altered. If heavy skin on the upper lid lies on the lashes, the operation can help more than appearance: in a systematic review of upper blepharoplasty, patients gained a wider field of vision and reported better quality of life related to headaches and eyesight.
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is generally suited to healthy adults who are troubled by hooded lids or bags under the eyes and whose expectations are realistic. Before any operation Dr. Yazır examines the eyes and lids to make sure there is no condition that would call for a different treatment.
| Generally a good fit | Worth waiting or talking through first |
|---|---|
| Lax upper lid skin that forms a hood | Dry eye or another active eye condition that has not been treated |
| Upper lid skin lying on the lashes or narrowing your view | A lid edge that sits low because the lifting muscle is weak (ptosis) |
| Puffiness or bags in the lower lids | A low, heavy brow that is mainly responsible for the hooding |
| Fine creasing of the lower lid skin | Thyroid eye disease or blood pressure that is not under control |
| You do not smoke, or will stop | Blood-thinning medicine that cannot safely be paused |
Which blepharoplasty techniques are used?
Which method is chosen depends on the lids being treated and on what has to be taken away or moved.
| Method | What happens | Often used when |
|---|---|---|
| Upper lid blepharoplasty | The cut runs along the natural crease; surplus skin is removed, sometimes with a thin strip of muscle or fat | There is hooding or a heavy fold on the upper lid |
| Transconjunctival lower lid surgery | The cut is on the inner side of the lower lid; fat is taken out or moved | Bags are present but the skin is in good condition |
| Transcutaneous lower lid surgery | The cut sits just beneath the lashes; fat and a little skin are treated | Bags come with loose or creased lower lid skin |
| Fat repositioning | Fat is shifted into the groove between the lower lid and the cheek | Bags sit next to a hollow tear trough |
According to a systematic review of upper blepharoplasty, most patients were pleased with both the outcome and the scar, and satisfaction was the same whether only skin or skin plus muscle had been removed. A subsequent meta-analysis of randomised trials linked removing muscle together with skin to more cases of incomplete lid closure (lagophthalmos), which favours a cautious approach that spares muscle when it can. For the lower lid, there is still no agreement in the literature on the ideal method, so it is decided for each patient individually.
How is the operation performed?
- Assessment. Dr. Yazır checks the eyelids, the position of the brows, the tear film and how the eyes move, then marks how much skin and fat will be treated.
- Anaesthesia. Many eyelid operations are done under local anaesthesia with sedation; when upper and lower lids are combined, general anaesthesia may be chosen.
- The surgery itself. Through the planned incisions, skin, muscle and fat are removed or repositioned. If the lower lid needs more support, it can be tightened.
- Finishing. The incisions are closed with fine stitches, and narrow support strips may be placed.
- Going home. Most people leave on the day of surgery with cold compresses, eye ointment and written aftercare advice.
What does recovery look like?
| After surgery | What you are likely to notice |
|---|---|
| First 3 days | Swelling, bruising and a tight feeling; eyes may water or feel sandy; use cold compresses and keep your head raised |
| Days 5 to 7 | The stitches come out and the swelling is visibly going down |
| Week 2 | Bruises have mostly faded; office work and light make-up are usually fine |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Exercise and swimming can restart when advised |
| Months 3 to 6 | The scars soften and fade and the final look appears |
The NHS notes that most people need around two weeks away from work and that redness and bruising can take several weeks to disappear. Sunglasses outside, leaving contact lenses out and keeping your hands away from your eyes all help the lids heal.
How do I plan my trip to Izmir?
Patients travelling from abroad usually allow 6 to 7 days. The clinic is in the Egeperla building in Konak, about 25 to 30 minutes by car from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB).
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You arrive and meet Dr. Yazır for the eyelid examination |
| Day 2 | Operation day, normally as day surgery; rest at your hotel afterwards |
| Days 3 to 4 | Quiet days with cold compresses and a check-up if one has been arranged |
| Days 5 to 6 | The stitches come out and a final check is done |
| Day 7 | You fly home once Dr. Yazır has given the go-ahead |
Before you travel, you can send photos over WhatsApp for an initial opinion. Please tell us about any eye conditions, earlier eye operations and the medicines you take.
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty is performed often, yet like any operation it has risks. In the first days, swelling, bruising, watery or irritated eyes and some difficulty shutting the eyes completely are expected and pass. Risks that are less common or rare include:
- Blurred or double vision, which is normally temporary
- Uneven lids or scars that are easy to see
- Symptoms of dry eye
- Lids that do not close fully (lagophthalmos)
- The lower lid being pulled downwards (lid malposition or ectropion)
- Bleeding behind the eye, which is rare but must be treated urgently
- Infection, or a reaction to the anaesthetic
Dr. Yazır explains how these apply to you during the examination and the informed consent discussion.
How long do results last?
Skin and fat that have been removed do not return, so the change lasts for many years. The skin still ages, though, and the brows can sink over time, which leads some patients to think about further treatment much later on. In a 2025 review, the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that the quality-of-life gains after upper lid surgery may last for several years.
Why do patients choose Izmir for eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is frequently done as day surgery and recovery is short, so it fits well into a stay of about a week. Izmir lies on the Aegean coast, has direct flights from many European cities and offers plenty of accommodation, and costs are well below those in the UK or the USA, as the estimate further down this page shows. Wherever you go, a thorough eyelid examination and enough time for follow-up are still the parts of the plan that matter most.