Procedure

Blepharoplasty in Cyprus

Surgery to the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid or both, removing or repositioning skin, fat and muscle. It is done to soften the changes that come with age, and where drooping upper lids obstruct the field of vision.

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Procedure facts

Duration
1–2 hours
Anaesthesia
General or local
Hospital stay
Day surgery
Pre-admission tests
Blood tests and electrocardiogram
Downtime
About 1 week
Driving
5–10 days
Exercise
3 weeks
Final result
3–4 months

Recovery, stage by stage

What is normal at each point after surgery, and what you can do again. Your own plan is set at the consultation and depends on what was done.

  1. Surgery day Day 0 · day surgery

    • Going home

    What is normal

    • Day surgery, under local or general anaesthesia.
    • Small adhesive dressings may protect the incisions.
    • Mild swelling, bruising and sensitivity around the eyes.

    What to do

    • Use cold compresses as shown.
    • Sleep with your head slightly raised.
    • Take the medication prescribed for any discomfort.
  2. The first week Week 1 · days 1–7

    • Going home

    What is normal

    • Bruising and swelling around the eyes.
    • Temporary dryness or irritation of the eyes.
    • Vision can be blurred for the first few days.

    What to do

    • Limit reading and screens for the first couple of days; reading is usually comfortable after two to three days.
    • Follow the cleansing and eye-care instructions you are given.
    • Do not drive while vision is blurred.
  3. One week Day 7–10 · days 7–10

    • Going home
    • Driving
    • Back to work

    What is normal

    • Visible improvement within a week.

    What to do

    • A gradual return to normal activity, and to work, from about a week (five to ten days).
    • Driving from five to ten days, once you have discussed it with your surgeon.
  4. Bruising fades Day 10–14 · days 10–14

    • Going home
    • Driving
    • Back to work

    What is normal

    • Swelling, bruising and sensitivity typically subside within 10 to 14 days.

    What to do

    • Keep up skincare and sun protection.
  5. Three weeks Week 3 · from week 3

    • Going home
    • Driving
    • Back to work
    • Exercise

    What is normal

    • Most of the visible signs of surgery have gone.

    What to do

    • Gym sessions and alcohol after at least three weeks.
  6. Final result Month 3–4 · over a few months

    • Going home
    • Driving
    • Back to work
    • Exercise
    • Final result

    What is normal

    • The final result settles over three to four months.
    • The fine scars sit in the natural creases of the eyelid.

    What to do

    • The result is long-lasting; surgery does not stop the natural process of ageing.

Typical times, not a promise. Questions after surgery go to the EIPS team.

Overview

What eyelid surgery does

Eyelid contouring is chosen as a way to soften harsh lines, lift sagging tissue and correct puffiness. These physical changes not only alter appearance but can also interfere with everyday vision, particularly when the upper eyelids begin to droop into the line of sight.

Performed on an outpatient basis, eyelid correction refines the eye’s natural contours. By removing or repositioning eyelid skin, excess fat and muscle, the surgeon restores definition to the eye area — on the upper lid, the lower lid, or both. The incisions are placed within the natural crease of the eyelid skin.

You may hear the operation referred to as an eyelid lift, eyelid reshaping, or upper or lower eyelid correction. The medical term is blepharoplasty.

The objective is to bring subtle balance back to the face without excessive tightening or unnatural alteration. Care is taken to maintain a patient’s own expression while reducing the signs of ageing. Depending on the case, the operation is performed under local or general anaesthesia and typically lasts around two hours. For many patients the result is long-lasting and does not require a repeat procedure.

Why patients choose it

  • Smooths wrinkles along the lower eyelids
  • Softens signs of fatigue around the eyes
  • Minimises sagging and under-eye fullness
  • Removes fatty tissue that causes upper lid puffiness
  • Eliminates loose skin, creating lid folds
  • Corrects drooping of the lower eyelids
  • Restores a more refreshed appearance
  • Improves vision where the eyelids interfere with sight

Upper blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid contouring focuses on the region between the lashes and the eyebrow. Over time this space may begin to close in through gravity, fat accumulation or structural change. In certain cases individuals are born with prominent or swollen upper lids that persist into adulthood.

The technique involves precise removal or repositioning of fat and excess skin, creating a smoother, more defined contour without pulling or distortion. The aim is to maintain the eye’s natural shape while opening the area.

Lower blepharoplasty

The lower eyelids often show signs of age through bagging, deep creases or sagging skin. These changes can make a person appear tired even when well-rested.

Correction involves removing or redistributing the tissue below the eye, particularly where fat has settled or shifted. Where a visible groove runs from the tear duct toward the cheek — often called a tear trough — the procedure can soften this line by restoring volume. The technique is adjusted to prevent hollowing, which can occur if too much tissue is removed.

Patients diagnosed with ectropion, a condition in which the lower lid turns outward, may also see improvement through this surgery.

What the operation involves

Anaesthesia Either local or general anaesthesia is administered by a licensed anaesthesiologist. The type depends on the surgical plan and on patient preference.

Incisions Dr. Stavrou begins by marking the natural folds and creases of the eyelids to guide incision placement. This allows for discreet scarring that blends into the skin’s existing lines. After healing, signs of surgery are often close to imperceptible.

On the upper eyelid, excess skin and fat are removed with caution, preserving enough tissue to maintain natural volume and avoid hollowness. Where volume loss is already present, tissues may be adjusted to fill gaps and smooth transitions.

The lower eyelid requires greater complexity and is usually done under general anaesthesia. Incisions are placed just below the lashes and extend slightly outward. In some cases a transconjunctival approach is used, accessing the area from inside the lower lid to prevent external scarring. Fat is either removed or moved into hollow spaces to restore symmetry.

Closure Closure is performed using either dissolvable or traditional sutures. Dr. Stavrou will explain the most appropriate choice based on skin type and the nature of the incision. In some cases small adhesive bandages are applied immediately after the procedure to protect the healing tissue.

Recovery

Mild swelling, bruising or sensitivity is common and expected after surgery. These symptoms typically subside within the first 10 to 14 days.

To encourage healing, patients should use cold compresses and sleep with the head slightly raised. Any discomfort can be managed with medication prescribed by the surgeon.

Temporary dryness or irritation of the eyes may occur, and specific instructions for cleansing and care are given for this period. Straining the eyes, such as reading or screen use, should be limited in the first couple of days, with a gradual return to normal activity after about a week.

More intensive activity, including gym sessions or alcohol consumption, should wait at least three weeks. Visible improvement is noticeable within a week, with the final result settling over a few months. Skincare and sun protection are essential during the recovery phase.

Risks and considerations

Eyelid surgery carries the general risks of surgery — bleeding, infection and a reaction to the anaesthetic — alongside a set specific to the eye. Bruising and swelling around the eyes are expected for the first one to two weeks rather than complications. Temporary dryness, watering, blurred vision or difficulty closing the eyes fully can occur while healing and are usually short-lived. The fine scars sit in the natural eyelid creases and generally settle well, though healing varies between patients. Less common risks include asymmetry between the two sides, a change in the position of the lower lid and, very rarely, a change in vision. Removing too much skin is deliberately avoided because it is difficult to reverse. What is realistic for a given eyelid is discussed in full at the consultation.

Before and after

1 case published with the patient's written consent. These are individual results, not an average and not a guarantee.

View all 1 case

Questions patients ask

Can I drive after blepharoplasty?

Driving is usually possible five to ten days after upper eyelid surgery, as vision can be blurred in the first few days. Discuss it with your surgeon before you start driving again.

Does lower blepharoplasty remove wrinkles?

Surgery to the lower lids can smooth the wrinkles under the eyes. The skin of the area is deliberately not pulled too tight, so that the result does not look unnatural.

Does blepharoplasty affect vision?

For most patients there is no change in vision. Patients with excess skin on the upper lids may find their field of vision improves after surgery.

What is the best age for blepharoplasty?

For aesthetic reasons the minimum age is around 30. In patients with excess fat in the upper lids, bags under the lower lids or a severe eyelid deformity, surgery can be performed as early as the twenties.

How long does the result of blepharoplasty last?

The result is long-lasting. Surgery does not stop the natural process of ageing. Heredity, lifestyle and skin care all affect how long it holds.

Will the shape of my eyes change?

Blepharoplasty improves the natural shape of the eyes and does not change their fundamental structure. It addresses drooping lids and bags under the eyes caused by excess skin or fat.

How long should I stay before flying home?

Most of the visible signs of surgery settle within the first one to two weeks, and the eyes are checked at a review around day seven. Short and long-haul flights are both reasonable from about seven days where recovery has been uncomplicated. Cabin air is dry, so keep your eye drops in your hand luggage.

Where it is performed

Consultations
Nicosia Limassol Athens Malta
Surgery in Cyprus
The Surgery Center 3i, Strovolos
Surgery in Athens
Iatriko Athinon, Marousi Mediterraneo Hospital, Glyfada

Where yours takes place is agreed at the consultation.

How we quote

A quotation follows consultation, because what it costs depends on what the operation actually involves for you — the technique, the time in theatre, and whether anything is being addressed at the same time. We do not publish price lists and we do not quote before examining you.

Choosing your surgeon

  • Each lid assessed on its own. Upper, lower or both, and for each one whether the problem is skin, fat or muscle.
  • Restraint with skin removal. Too much skin taken is difficult to reverse. Ask how much will be removed.
  • The brow examined with the lids. A heavy upper lid is sometimes a low brow. Surgery to the lid alone will not correct that.
  • A plan for the lower lid. A change in lower-lid position is one of the specific risks. Ask how your operation protects it.
  • Scars placed in the natural creases. Ask where yours will sit.

A question to ask at consultation

How much skin will you remove, and how will you protect the position of my lower lid?

When to call us

  • Pain or swelling around one eye that is increasing quickly, or an eye that feels tight or pushed forward
  • A loss or sudden change in vision, beyond the blurring of the first few days
  • Fever, or increasing redness, warmth or discharge at an incision
  • Dryness, or difficulty closing the eye, that is getting worse rather than better

Calf pain or swelling on one side, breathlessness or chest pain need urgent medical attention where you are. Tell whoever sees you what operation you had and when.

Arranging a consultation

Book a slot in the clinic diary directly, or send the details of what you are considering and we will reply with the times we have.