Blepharoplasty at a glance
- Duration1 to 2 hours
- Hospital stayDay surgery or 1 night
- Social downtime7 to 10 days
- Final resultAt 6 months
- How long the result lastsMore than 10 years
- Price€3,000 to €7,500
Blepharoplasty is cosmetic surgery of the eyelids. It removes excess skin from the upper eyelids, reduces bags under the eyes and softens tear troughs, for a more rested look without changing your expression. There are three techniques: upper, lower by the subciliary approach and lower by the transconjunctival approach, with no visible scar. The operation takes 1 to 2 hours at Clinique Oxford in Cannes, as day surgery or with one night’s stay. Social downtime is 7 to 10 days; the final result can be assessed at 6 months and generally lasts more than 10 years.
Price: €3,000 to €7,500, on a written quote after a consultation (€100).
Which blepharoplasty for which eyelid?
With age, the skin of the eyelids slackens, bags appear under the eyes, tear troughs deepen and the outer corner of the eye droops: the eyes look tired or sad. The technique depends on the eyelid concerned and on what needs to be corrected; the upper and lower eyelids can be operated on during the same procedure.
| Upper | Lower, subciliary approach | Lower, transconjunctival approach | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it treats | Heavy, drooping eyelids, excess skin | Lower eyelid wrinkles, bags, tear troughs and the lid–cheek junction | Bags under the eyes, without excess skin |
| Incision and scar | In the crease of the upper eyelid, usually invisible | 1 mm below the lashes | In the conjunctiva (inner surface of the eyelid): no visible scar |
| Procedure | Removal of excess skin, refining of the inner fat pad | Gentle re-tightening of the skin, removal or redistribution of the fat pads | Removal of the fat pads, with nothing done to the skin |
| Stitches | Removed between day 6 and day 10 | Removed between day 6 and day 10 | No stitches to remove |
| Anaesthesia | Local anaesthesia alone possible; or general, or local with sedation | General or local anaesthesia with sedation | General or local anaesthesia with sedation |
| Often combined with | Temporal lift, botulinum toxin | Midface lift, canthopexy | Tear trough filler |
| Cover | Possible by the Assurance Maladie (French national health insurance) if the excess skin impairs vision (visual field test) | No | No |
| Price | €3,000 to €7,500 depending on the number of eyelids | €3,000 to €7,500 depending on the number of eyelids | €3,000 to €7,500 depending on the number of eyelids |
The three techniques in diagrams
Upper blepharoplasty: drooping eyelids
It treats heavy, drooping upper eyelids. The excess skin is removed and the inner fat pad refined; the scar is hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid. The eyes catch the light more and look rested. When the eye is hollow, no skin should be removed: correction then calls for a hyaluronic acid or fat injection.
Before: excess skin falling onto the lashes. Hatching: skin and fat removed.
The subciliary approach: bags, wrinkles and tear troughs
The incision is placed 1 mm below the lashes. The skin of the lower eyelid is gently re-tightened, and the fat pads are removed or redistributed into the hollow of the tear trough (Hamra technique), which softens the tear trough and the groove between the eyelid and the cheek. When the outer corner of the eye is lax, a canthopexy tightens it at the same time; when the cheek has also descended, this procedure becomes part of a midface lift.
Before: bag under the eye and hollow tear trough. Arrow: fat redistributed onto the tear trough.
The transconjunctival approach: bags without a scar
It treats bags under the eyes without touching the skin. The incision is made inside the eyelid, in the conjunctiva: no scar is visible and there are no stitches to remove. It is suitable when the skin of the lower eyelid is not lax.
Before: bag under the eye, skin not lax. Incision inside the eyelid.
Hidden scars
Tap a number to see where each incision is.
The eye and eyelids in profile
Schematic vertical cross-section: each eyelid is made up of the skin, a muscle, a fibrous partition (the septum) behind which lie the fat pads, a supporting plate (the tarsus) and, on the eye side, the conjunctiva.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience in eyelid surgery
- University diploma (DU) in facial plastic surgery (Lyon)
- Former anatomy prosector and former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine
- Related techniques performed at the practice: temporal lift, midface lift, canthopexy, lipostructure (fat grafting), injections
At what age should you have a blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is most often performed from the age of 40, when excess skin and bags set in. It can be considered earlier when the bags or heavy eyelids are constitutional, that is, have always been there.
Blepharoplasty or tear trough filler?
Hyaluronic acid injection fills a hollow tear trough, with no social downtime; its effect lasts 1 to 3 years. Blepharoplasty durably removes excess skin and true fat bags, which an injection cannot do. The two are often combined.
| Surgery | Injection | |
|---|---|---|
| Treats | Excess skin, true bags | Hollow tear trough |
| Effect | More than 10 years | 1 to 3 years |
| Downtime | 7 to 10 days | None |
What happens during a blepharoplasty?
- Pre-operative consultation€100 at the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes: analysis of the eyelids and the eyes, choice of technique, information on the risks and a detailed written quote.
- Cooling-off periodAt least 15 days, required by law, between receiving the quote and the operation.
- Anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist.
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation (local anaesthesia alone is possible for the upper eyelids), for 1 to 2 hours. Discharge the same evening or the next day, with no dressing.
- Follow-upStitches removed between day 6 and day 10, then post-operative consultations with Dr Médard de Chardon and his team.
What is the recovery like?
A blepharoplasty is not painful, but the eyes may water and sting for the first few days; cold compresses and head raised.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
Like any surgery, a blepharoplasty carries risks, which are rare when it is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon in an approved facility. Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them. They are explained in detail at the consultation.
Haematoma
Rare; monitored during the first few hours.
Dry eyes or watering
Temporary; keratitis possible, treated with eye drops.
Chemosis
Swelling of the conjunctiva, temporary.
Asymmetry
Slight, which may justify a touch-up.
Ectropion
Pulling down of the edge of the lower eyelid after lower blepharoplasty, usually temporary.
Anaesthesia
Risks assessed at the anaesthetic consultation.
Prolonging and maintaining the result
For a harmonious rejuvenation of the eyes, other techniques are often combined:
Temporal lift
Lifting the tail of the eyebrow.
Face and neck lift
When the jawline and neck have also slackened.
Lateral canthopexy
Tightening the outer corner of the eye.
Botulinum toxin
Crow’s feet and frown lines (glabella).
Hyaluronic acid or fat
Tear troughs and cheeks.
Peel, dermabrasion, laser
Skin quality.
Before and after photos
Upper eyelid surgery
Upper blepharoplasty to reduce excess skin. Natural result at 6 months, with a brighter, more open look
Eyelid surgery for under-eye bags + hollow, pigmented dark circles
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty and tear trough fat transfer. Result at 6 months
Eyelid surgery for fat bags and hollow tear troughs in a man
Lower blepharoplasty with tear trough filling
See all before and after photos of blepharoplasty
How much does a blepharoplasty cost, and is it reimbursed?
€3,000 to €7,500
Depending on the technique and the number of eyelids operated on, on a written quote after the consultation (€100, free for a patient already followed at the practice). The quote details the surgeon’s fees, the anaesthetist’s fees and the clinic’s charges. Cosmetic blepharoplasty is not reimbursed; an upper blepharoplasty can be covered by the Assurance Maladie when the excess skin impairs vision (visual field test), with additional fees. Sector 2 (fees above the national health insurance rate), not OPTAM-registered.
Frequently asked questions about blepharoplasty
Does a blepharoplasty change the shape of the eyes?
No. It removes the excess skin and bags that weigh down the eyes, without changing the shape of the eye. The eyes look more open and rested, but keep their expression.
Are blepharoplasty scars visible?
Rarely. The upper eyelid scar is hidden in the natural crease of the eyelid and the lower eyelid scar lies 1 mm below the lashes. The transconjunctival approach leaves no visible scar.
Can under-eye bags be removed without a scar?
Yes, by transconjunctival blepharoplasty: the incision is made inside the eyelid and there are no stitches to remove. It is suitable when the skin of the lower eyelid is not lax.
Can all four eyelids be operated on at the same time?
Yes. The upper and lower eyelids can be operated on during the same procedure, which then lasts up to 2 hours. The recovery is no longer.
Is a blepharoplasty painful?
It is not painful. For the first few days the eyes may water and sting, and bruising often appears for 3 to 15 days.
How long does the result of a blepharoplasty last?
Generally more than 10 years, or even for life. In practice, the eyelids continue to age, but from a younger starting point; injections and botulinum toxin help maintain the result.
How much does a blepharoplasty cost in Cannes, and is it reimbursed?
The price depends on the technique and the number of eyelids operated on: €3,000 to €7,500, on a written quote after a €100 consultation. Cosmetic blepharoplasty is not reimbursed; an upper blepharoplasty can be covered by the Assurance Maladie when the excess skin impairs vision, with additional fees.
Where is a blepharoplasty performed?
Consultations take place at the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes; operations are performed at Clinique Oxford in Cannes. Book on Doctolib or on +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68.