- Medically Reviewed by Mr Mfazo Hove Consultant Ophthalmologist
- Author: Chris Dunnington
- Published: October 2, 2025
- Last Updated: October 7, 2025
Your eyelids play a crucial role in both protecting your vision and expressing your personality. When they’re affected by drooping, excess skin, or other conditions, it can impact both your sight and confidence. As Top Recommended specialists in the Spears 2025 Health & Wellness Index, Blue Fin Vision® offers seven comprehensive eyelid surgery options to restore both function and appearance.
Here are the seven expert eyelid surgery procedures that can transform your eye health and enhance your natural beauty.
Infographic: 7 Types of Eyelid Surgery Available at Blue Fin Vision®
1. Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower)
Transform your tired-looking eyes with the gold standard of eyelid rejuvenation.
Blepharoplasty removes excess skin, muscle, and fat from your upper and lower eyelids, creating a refreshed, youthful appearance whilst potentially improving your vision. This versatile procedure addresses both functional concerns and aesthetic goals, making it one of the most sought-after treatments in oculoplastic surgery.
Upper blepharoplasty targets drooping upper eyelids that may obstruct your visual field, whilst lower blepharoplasty reduces under-eye bags and puffiness. When performed together, these procedures deliver harmonious, natural-looking results that can take years off your appearance.
The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes per eyelid and is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. Recovery is remarkably swift, with most patients resuming normal activities within 10-14 days, though complete healing may take up to six weeks.
2. Dermatochalasis Surgery
Address excess eyelid skin that creates a hooded appearance and affects your daily activities.
Dermatochalasis refers to loose, sagging skin on the eyelids that develops naturally with age, genetics, or medical conditions. This condition creates a tired appearance and can interfere with activities like reading or wearing glasses, whilst sometimes restricting peripheral vision.
The surgical treatment involves precise removal of redundant skin through carefully placed incisions within your natural eyelid creases. This technique ensures minimal scarring whilst maximising functional and cosmetic improvements. Unlike non-surgical alternatives, dermatochalasis surgery provides definitive, long-lasting results.
Patients frequently report dramatic improvements in both appearance and vision following treatment. The transformation is particularly notable in cases of severe upper eyelid hooding, where surgery can restore a full field of vision whilst creating a more alert, refreshed appearance. Recovery follows the standard blepharoplasty timeline, with swelling and bruising typically subsiding within two weeks.
3. Ptosis and Ptosis Surgery
Restore proper eyelid function when drooping affects your vision or creates asymmetry.
Ptosis involves the abnormal lowering of one or both upper eyelids due to weakness in the levator muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid. This condition can be congenital or develop later in life due to ageing, neurological conditions, trauma, or previous surgeries.
Beyond cosmetic concerns, ptosis can significantly impair vision when the drooping eyelid covers part of the pupil. Patients often develop compensatory behaviours like tilting their head back or raising their eyebrows to improve sight, leading to fatigue and strain.
Ptosis surgery involves tightening or repositioning the levator muscle through precise surgical techniques. For severe cases, frontalis sling surgery connects the eyelid to the forehead muscle, allowing forehead movement to lift the lid. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic and offers immediate functional improvements with natural-looking results that enhance both vision and symmetry.
4. Ectropion and Ectropion Surgery
Correct outward-turning eyelids that leave your eyes vulnerable and uncomfortable.
Ectropion occurs when the lower eyelid turns outward, exposing the delicate inner lining and disrupting normal tear drainage. This condition most commonly affects older adults due to age-related muscle weakening, though it can also result from scarring, nerve weakness, or growths.
The exposed eyelid creates significant discomfort, including watery eyes, redness, irritation, and increased susceptibility to infections. Without treatment, severe ectropion can lead to corneal ulcers or scarring that threaten vision.
Ectropion surgery restores the eyelid to its natural position through precise tightening and repositioning techniques. The procedure typically takes 30-45 minutes and is performed under local anaesthetic. Most patients experience immediate relief from symptoms, with complete healing expected within a few weeks. The surgery effectively protects the eye surface whilst improving both comfort and appearance.
5. Entropion and Entropion Surgery
Eliminate the painful inward turning of eyelids that causes lashes to scratch your eye.
Entropion involves the inward rotation of the eyelid, most commonly affecting the lower lid. This condition causes the eyelashes and skin to rub constantly against the eye surface, creating persistent irritation, pain, and potential corneal damage.
Age-related muscle weakening is the primary cause, though scarring from previous injuries, infections, or inflammation can also contribute. Symptoms include a gritty sensation, excessive watering, redness, light sensitivity, and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye. Left untreated, the constant friction can result in corneal ulcers or permanent vision loss.
Entropion surgery corrects the inward-turning eyelid through precise muscle and tendon repositioning. The minimally invasive procedure is performed as a day case under local anaesthetic, offering immediate symptom relief. Patients report dramatic improvements in comfort and eye protection, with long-lasting results and minimal risk of recurrence.
6. Chalazion Removal
Resolve persistent eyelid lumps that affect your comfort and appearance.
A chalazion is a painless lump that forms when a meibomian gland becomes blocked, preventing proper oil production for eye lubrication. Unlike styes, chalazia are non-infectious but can persist for months without treatment, sometimes growing large enough to obstruct vision or create noticeable asymmetry.
Risk factors include chronic blepharitis, poor eyelid hygiene, skin conditions like rosacea, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Symptoms range from mild tenderness and redness to significant eyelid swelling that affects daily activities.
While many chalazia resolve with warm compresses and gentle massage, persistent cases require surgical intervention. Chalazion removal surgery involves draining or excising the cyst through a small incision, typically performed under local anaesthetic with quick recovery times. This minimally invasive procedure offers immediate relief whilst preventing potential complications from prolonged inflammation.
7. Xanthelasma Removal
Eliminate yellowish plaques around your eyes whilst addressing potential underlying health concerns.
Xanthelasma appears as soft, yellowish deposits composed primarily of cholesterol, typically found near the inner corners of the upper and lower eyelids. While benign and painless, these plaques can indicate underlying metabolic issues and cause significant cosmetic concern.
Common causes include elevated cholesterol levels, genetic predisposition, diabetes, and certain ethnic backgrounds. The plaques tend to grow gradually over time and rarely resolve without intervention. Beyond cosmetic improvement, xanthelasma removal provides an opportunity for comprehensive health assessment.
Xanthelasma treatment options include surgical excision, laser therapy, and chemical peels, with surgical removal offering the highest success rates for complete elimination. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic with minimal downtime, allowing most patients to return to normal activities within days. Blue Fin Vision® employs advanced techniques to achieve natural-looking results whilst minimising scarring and recurrence.
Your Journey to Enhanced Vision and Confidence
Each of these seven eyelid surgery procedures addresses specific functional and aesthetic concerns with precision and care. At Blue Fin Vision®, our Top Recommended status reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional outcomes and patient satisfaction. Our consultant ophthalmic surgeons combine advanced surgical techniques with personalised care plans, ensuring optimal results for every patient.
Trust your precious vision to the experts at Blue Fin Vision®. Whether you require functional correction or aesthetic enhancement, our award-winning team delivers exceptional care at our prestigious London, Chelmsford, and Hatfield locations. Experience the confidence that comes from choosing a practice where clinical excellence meets compassionate care. Contact us today to begin your journey towards clearer vision and renewed confidence.
