Mr Alan Hubbard
Ophthalmology

Eyelid lift: what you should know before having cosmetic eyelid surgery

Written by: Mr Alan Hubbard

Published: 30/09/2020 | Updated: 15/10/2020

Edited by: Emma McLeod

Have you been thinking about having an eyelid lift? Before undergoing this procedure, there are some essential facts you should know about. Mr Alan Hubbard, a consultant ophthalmologist, guides you through the essential facts you need to consider before opting for an eyelid lift.

A man with a smile that reaches his eyes

What are the different types of eyelid surgery?

An ‘eyelid lift’ is a common term for a procedure known as upper lid blepharoplasty or eyelid tuck. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and thin - as we age, it tends to lose its elasticity. As a result, people can have:

A redundancy of the skin in this area.
A lack of definition in the upper eyelid area.
Excess skin that hangs down over the ‘eyeshadow area’ and rests on the upper eyelashes. In severe cases, the excess skin will overhang the lid margin.

Why do people choose to have an eyelid lift?

Excess skin tends to give an aged appearance to the upper lid area. People tend to look each other in the eye, so the effect of ageing in this area is often more noticeable than elsewhere on the face or body.

How long do the results of an eyelid lift last?

The results are normally long-lasting. Having said that, the surgery itself does not prevent further ageing which can lead to a recurrence of the problem. Any recurrence is normally many years after the surgery.

Are patients awake during the eyelid surgery?

An eyelid lift can be done under either local anaesthetic (in which the patient is awake) or general anaesthetic (in which the patient is not conscious).

Is the procedure safe?

Surgery to remove this redundant skin is normally very safe and straightforward. Generally, it takes approximately 20 minutes per eye. The skin is sutured (stitched up) with either dissolvable sutures or non-dissolvable sutures, which are typically removed after about 10 days.

Does an eyelid lift leave a scar?

This scar is normally well hidden in the skin crease of the upper eyelid.

What is the recovery like?

There is typically bruising and swelling following the surgery, which may take up to three weeks to completely resolve.

Would you like to know more? Visit Mr Hubbard’s profile to discover how you can benefit from his leading patient care.

By Mr Alan Hubbard

Ophthalmology in Macclesfield

Mr Alan David Hubbard is an expert consultant ophthalmologist based in Cheshire, who specialises in cataracts and oculoplastics. His areas of surgical expertise include refractive lens surgery, lacrimal surgery, and eyelid surgery. He has been a department head at Leighton Hospital, Crewe for eight years. Mr Hubbard qualified in medicine from the University of London in 1991, before undergoing basic training in ophthalmology in Manchester, London and Brisbane, Australia. This was fo...

By Mr Alan Hubbard
Ophthalmology

Mr Alan David Hubbard is an expert consultant ophthalmologist based in Cheshire, who specialises in cataracts and oculoplastics. His areas of surgical expertise include refractive lens surgery, lacrimal surgery, and eyelid surgery. He has been a department head at Leighton Hospital, Crewe for eight years.

Mr Hubbard qualified in medicine from the University of London in 1991, before undergoing basic training in ophthalmology in Manchester, London and Brisbane, Australia. This was followed by a fellowship in oculoplastic and lacrimal (tear duct) surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, where he was trained by world-renowned surgeons. This provided him with the surgical skills to manage functional and cosmetic abnormalities of the eyelid and lacrimal system.

Mr Hubbard is a founding member of the British Society of Oculoplastic Surgeons and maintains a thriving private practice specialising in high-precision refractive cataract and oculoplastic surgery including cosmetic blepharoplasty.