Eyelids (Blepharoplasty)

Upper lids – the ‘Bright Eyes’ procedure


We call this our ‘bright eyes’ procedure because it brings freshness and life back to flat, dull eyes which have lost their expression under a layer of droopy skin. This is probably the most common problem of middle age and the main contributor to that much disliked look of ‘tiredness’ that comes with ageing.

The Procedure: Tarsal Fixation
Surgery to the upper lids restores an attractive contour above the eye, so the shape is again revealed and the eyes look bright and full of life.

It is important to understand that the problem is not ‘excess skin’, even though the skin may appear to be excess. What has actually occurred is a detachment of the skin from its former position, where it was held in place deep within the eyelid –  where it used to appear as a neat fold of skin above your eye. As the skin releases from its attachment within that fold, it becomes lax and this means the neat, clean contour above your eye is obscured by the drooping skin.

The only way to naturally restore the eye’s appearance is to re-attach that skin, which again reveals a nice clean skin fold above the eye. This is the ‘tarsal fixation technique’ – the name demonstrates that it recreates the skin’s internal fixation which was lost in ageing. It requires only a short incision in the eyefold which heals so perfectly it is undetectable within four months, even with the eyes closed.

The procedure takes an hour in day surgery and is virtually painless, with only modest post-operative swelling (it looks as if you have a slight allergy) which clears in the third week. After that, the depressing problem of ‘tired eyes’ has been handled and for most patients that’s a profound relief.

A note of caution. As in all facial surgery, skin must never be pulled or stretched, as it can lead to distortion and scarring.  Unfortunately, this outdated way of operating – skin pulling – is still being performed and is frequently used on the upper lids. Pulling skin more tightly and then cutting the excess does not address the cause of the problem and will not produce a lasting, scar-free or natural result. It is not recommended for patients who want a quality, lasting result.