How Much Does Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Cost?

Over time, the skin of the eyelids can become saggy and the area under the eyes can protrude, giving the appearance of having "bags" under the eyes. This can make you look exhausted, even when you're not. That's where eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, comes in — it can help you look younger and more refreshed.¹

If you're considering blepharoplasty, you're not alone. The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank ranks it as one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for both men and women.² Let's dive into what eyelid surgery is, how to prepare for it, what to expect during the healing process and how much you can expect to pay.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is the clinical term for eyelid surgery, which helps tighten and lift the sagging skin of the eyelids.¹ The muscles around the eyes can weaken as you age, allowing excess skin and fat to accumulate above and below your eyes.³ Blepharoplasty is often accompanied with a brow lift, injectable fillers or BOTOX® to help achieve a more youthful overall appearance.

Blepharoplasty is ideal for people dealing with:¹

• Droopy upper eyelids (ptosis)
• Excess skin on the upper or lower eyelids
• Blocked peripheral vision due to sagging skin of the upper lids
• Droopy lower eyelids that fold away from the eye (ectropion) or into the eye (entropion)
• Bags under the eyes³

Types of Eyelid Surgery

There are two types of traditional eyelid surgery that your surgeon can perform separately or together, during which the doctor will make incisions along the creases of the eyelids:³

• Upper eyelid surgery helps improve the appearance of the eyes by removing excess or sagging skin that creates folds and puffiness of the upper lids, along with excess fatty tissue.
• Lower eyelid surgery involves the removal of lower eyelid fat pads that cause under-eye "bags," and the tightening of any excess, loose skin.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?

The average cost* of upper eyelid surgery in the U.S. is $4,313, while the average cost* of lower eyelid surgery is $4,177. The costs included in this price range do not include facility fees, anesthesia fees, prescriptions or surgeon's fees, which may vary.⁴

Here's a cost breakdown comparing lower and upper eyelid surgeries:⁴

Several things can affect the cost of your eyelid surgery, from the complexity of your procedure to the location of your doctor. These factors include:⁵

• Where the procedure is performed. The cost can vary by facility. For example, a hospital or surgical center may tack on extra fees.
• Your doctor's credentials. Newly board-certified plastic surgeons may not charge as much as surgeons with extensive experience.
• The anesthesia used during your procedure. Most doctors perform upper eyelid surgeries using local anesthesia with oral sedation. General anesthesia, if needed, will cost more.
• The complexity of your surgery. Upper eyelid surgery tends to cost more than lower eyelid surgery, but this can vary based on your particular situation.
• The location of your doctor. Geographic location can make a big difference in the cost for both upper and lower blepharoplasty. For lower eyelid surgery, the average price* in Alaska is $5,103, while it's just $3,719 in Tennessee. For upper eyelid surgery, the average price* in Alaska is $5,185, but it's just $3,859 in Tennessee.⁴

Does Insurance Cover Eyelid Surgery?

Because doctors perform eyelid surgeries primarily for cosmetic reasons, they are typically not covered by health insurance. However, if your doctor determines that you need eyelid surgery due to a medical issue, your insurance may cover some or all of the cost.⁵

For example, if your doctor performs a visual field test and determines that the drooping of your eyelids or issues with your lower eyelids are affecting your vision, you're far more likely to have your insurance cover at least part of your costs.⁵ Keep in mind, however, that your insurance may still charge you a copay or coinsurance cost, along with any deductible your plan may have for your surgery.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery has many benefits for those dealing with cosmetic and medical issues related to the eye, including:⁶

• A more youthful appearance in the eye area
• Elimination of eye bags or droopy eyelids
• Improved peripheral vision¹
• Fewer issues with eye irritation and sensitivity due to entropion or ectropion¹
• Quick healing, often in just two weeks

What to Expect With Eyelid Surgery

Prior to your eyelid surgery, you'll meet with your surgeon to determine what kind of results you're looking for, and they will develop a plan for your surgery. You'll also need to:⁶

• Review your medical history with your doctor. That can include disclosing conditions like dry eye, diabetes, glaucoma and thyroid issues.
• Get a complete eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam will review your central and peripheral vision.
• Let your doctor take photographs of your eyelids. This will help your medical team plan the location of incisions and assess your recovery time.

Preparation

After going through medical tests with your doctors and once you're cleared for eyelid surgery, you may need to take a few steps:⁶

• Stop taking certain medications. Aspirin, ibuprofen and supplements may increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery.
• Stop smoking. It's advised that you stop smoking several weeks prior to surgery.
• Arrange to have help. That includes enlisting someone you trust to pick you up after surgery and stay with you for the first night.

Your doctor will tell you which steps you need to take to prepare, as they may differ based on whether you're having traditional or laser surgery, along with your medical conditions and other situations.

Potential side effects

After eyelid surgery, you may deal with some temporary side effects, such as:⁶

• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity
• Watery eyes
• Bruising and swelling of the eyes
• Eye pain and discomfort

Complications associated with eyelid surgery may include:⁶

• Eye infections
• Bleeding
• Scars
• Dry eyes
• Eye muscle injury or nerve sensitivity loss
• Temporary or long-term loss of vision

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Eyelid Surgery?

If you have a desk job, you can usually return to work about a week after eyelid surgery. Expect to need an ice compress for about 72 hours after surgery, with bruising resolving after about two weeks. You can usually drive one to two weeks after surgery, and slowly return to your normal level of physical activity in two to four weeks.³

Eyelid Surgery Recovery Tips

During the recovery process, it's important to follow your doctor's instructions, which can help prevent infections or irritation of the surgical sutures. Typically, after surgery you should:⁶

• Apply prescription eye ointments and drops to your eyes to help prevent infections and dryness.
• Use cold compresses as directed by your doctor.
• Avoid strenuous exercise like swimming or heavy lifting for at least a week (your doctor may recommend longer).
• Wear dark sunglasses until you're fully healed.
• Avoid wearing makeup for a few weeks.

Is Eyelid Surgery Worth It?

For those dealing with droopy eyelids or under-eye bags, eyelid surgery may be just what you're looking for. Not only can this popular plastic surgery procedure help you look younger and more rejuvenated, but it may even help relieve any vision issues you're dealing with related to sagging eyelids.⁵

Health insurance might cover the cost of eyelid surgery if it's considered medically necessary to treat a vision problem.⁵ Otherwise, you will have to pay for this outpatient procedure out of pocket.⁵ But the results are long-lasting, usually for up to five to seven years or more.⁷

To find out if this procedure is right for you, speak with your doctor. They can give you a better idea of whether eyelid surgery will give you the results you're looking for, and help you determine the best way to finance the costs involved.

Financing Eyelid Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for eyelid surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health. She's a business owner, attorney and writer.