How to Fix Hooded Upper Eyelids

Dr Scott Turner - FRACS (Plas)

Causes and Treatment of Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes or hooded eyelids, are characterised by the presence of small flaps of excess skin under each eyebrow. This eye condition is completely normal. In most cases, it is a hereditary trait. Hooded eyes can also occur with ageing, giving you droopy eyelids. While this condition is often purely aesthetic, in some cases it can impair your vision especially if there is excessive skin on your upper eyelid, known as hooded upper eyelid.

It can also be an aesthetic or cosmetic concern if there is significant eyelid drooping. If you are experiencing vision problems or emotional discomfort due to hooded upper eyelids, you may consider a surgical procedure called upper blepharoplasty or Upper Eyelid Surgery.   

Dr Scott Turner is an experienced Sydney Plastic Surgeon and Blepharoplasty Expert – find out more about his Blepharoplasty Surgery and look at his Real Patients before and after pictures to see what results could be achieved.

Common Causes of Hooded Eyes

Several factors can lead to the development of this eye condition, such as:

  • Age-related changes in the facial structures
  • An underlying medical condition called ptosis (drooping of the eyelid due to nerve damage)
  • Genetics

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgery that helps address hooded eyes or droopy eyelids. This surgical procedure involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and fat from your eyelids. Aside from improving the appearance of your eyelid area, blepharoplasty can also improve your visual function by removing the extra skin.

Benefits of Blepharoplasty

This surgical procedure offers the following benefits:

  • Can deliver a more youthful or cheerful appearance
  • Can improve your vision by eliminating excess eyelid skin
  • Can boost your self-esteem or self-confidence
  • Can eliminate pain and discomfort associated with drooping eyelids

Are you a Potential Candidate for Blepharoplasty ?

During your consultation, your general health and expectations will be carefully assessed to determine if you are a good candidate. In general, the procedure is right for you if:

  • The excess skin in your eyelid causes heaviness
  • The excess skin in your eyelid causes tension headaches
  • The excess skin in your eyelid impairs your vision
  • You have droopy eyelids that make you look older, tired, and sleepy
  • You have overhanging excess upper eyelid skin or eyelid hooding
  • You have realistic expectations and a positive outlook
  • You have low self-esteem or self-confidence due to the appearance of your eyelids

Risks and Complications of Blepharoplasty

Like any surgery, blepharoplasty is also associated with potential risks and complications such as:

  • Allergic reaction to anaesthesia (e.g. difficulty breathing, severe itching, or rashes)
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems
  • Dry, irritated eyes
  • Eye muscle injury or damage
  • Infection
  • Noticeable scarring
  • Poor cosmetic results that require another surgery
  • Skin discolouration
  • Temporarily blurred vision or, in very rare cases, loss of eyesight

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

During the procedure, you will receive intravenous sedation and local anaesthesia or a general anaesthesia to minimise the discomfort. Dr Turner will recommend the best choice for you depending on your overall health. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, Dr Turner will create an incision in your eyelid to allow the removal of fat deposits and excess skin, and tightening of muscles. Dr Turner will reposition the skin to achieve the desired eyelid appearance. The incisions will be then closed using sutures or skin glue.  

Hooded Eyes Surgery in Sydney by Dr Turner

What to Expect After Blepharoplasty

After undergoing blepharoplasty, you will likely experience mild to moderate soreness and tightness in your eyelid area. In addition, you will also have some bruising and swelling around your eyes. Other discomforts such as blurred vision, watery eyes, light sensitivity, double vision, eyelid numbness, puffiness, and pain can also occur. These are completely normal and are part of your body’s healing process. You will need to spend some time in a recovery room where you are monitored. Once your condition is stable, you will be discharged from the clinic or medical facility. After a week, you can gradually resume your daily routine but you need to wait 2-3 weeks before engaging in strenuous exercises or activities. Read the blog on Resuming Exercise after Eyelid Surgery.

Aftercare for Hooded Eyes Surgery

To speed up your healing and prevent complications, Dr Turner might suggest the following aftercare instructions:

  • Apply ice packs on your eyes 4-5 times throughout the day
  • Avoid activities that can lead to straining such as heavy lifting
  • Avoid medications or herbal supplements that can increase your risk of bleeding
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes
  • Avoid showering or hot tubs for a week
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages
  • Avoid strenuous activities for a week
  • Avoid touching the incision sites with bare hands
  • Clean your eyelids gently using the prescribed eye drops or creams
  • Do not engage in contact sports
  • Do not wear contact lenses
  • Elevate your head with 2-3 pillows when sleeping or resting
  • Return to the clinic or medical facility for your post-op appointments
  • Seek medical help immediately if you experience any signs of infection
  • Wear dark tinted sunglasses to protect your eyelids

FAQs about Hooded Eyes Surgery

How do you get rid of hooded eyes?

  • Hooded eyes can be corrected with blepharoplasty, a type of surgery that involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and fat from your eyelids. Aside from improving the appearance of your eyelid area, this surgical procedure can also improve your visual function by removing the extra skin.

Do eyelid exercises work?

  • There is no evidence that exercises for hooded upper eyelid actually work. Surgery is necessary if you want to remove the excess skin, fat, or muscle from your eyelids.

How can I lift my eyes without surgery?

If you’re looking to lift your eye area without surgery, there are some options that you can choose from. Non-surgical treatments such as the following can create a lifting effect:

  • Botox: it is a special substance that is injected into the treatment area to block the transmission of signals going to the muscles, thus, reducing the appearance of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles
  • Dermal fillers: this is a naturally-occurring substance in your body that is used to fill in sunken facial areas via injections. They add instant volume and fullness
  • Radiofrequency treatments: they use radiofrequency energy to stimulate the production of a skin protein known as collagen, resulting in smoother and tighter skin
  • Laser therapy: it uses controlled laser energy to remove the outer layers of your skin and stimulate the natural wound healing process

How can I improve my hooded eyes without surgery?

  • Non-surgical eyelift treatments such as Botox, dermal fillers, radiofrequency treatments, and laser therapy may help improve the appearance of hooded eyes. Dr Turner will determine the best treatment for you after a thorough assessment of your overall health and expectations.

What causes saggy eyelids?

Saggy eyelids can be present at birth, but they can also occur later in life due to several factors such as:

  • A complication of anti-wrinkle injections
  • A complication of eye surgery
  • Ageing
  • Injury or damage to the muscles or ligaments of your eyelids

Can you fix a lazy eyelid?

  • A lazy eyelid is characterised by excessive eyelid drooping. This eye condition can be corrected with blepharoplasty. 

Do eyes become hooded with age?

  • Hooded eyes are often an inherited feature. However, this condition can worsen as you age because the skin on your upper eyelid begins to lose its elasticity. In addition, the tissue that holds the eye structures also weakens, resulting in puffy, full, heavy lids.

Are hooded eyelids attractive?

  • Hooded eyelids can make you look older and tired. In addition, the excess skin in your eyelid can also interfere with your vision.  

Are scars visible after blepharoplasty?

  • The incision lines for blepharoplasty are created within the natural folds of your eyelid region. Because of this, the resultant scars will not be really noticeable. Over time, the surgical scars will also lighten, getting even less visible.

Will eye puffiness return after blepharoplasty?

  • It is unlikely that eye puffiness will return after the surgery. This is because the pockets of fat are removed permanently.

Can blepharoplasty change the shape of the eyes?

  • This surgical procedure is not designed to change the shape of your eyes. It removes excess fat, skin, or muscle from your eyelids to achieve facial balance or symmetry and improve visual function.

How should I prepare for blepharoplasty?

To prepare for the surgery:

  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure
  • Arrange for someone to help you with the house chores once you get home
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol a few weeks before the procedure
  • Avoid medications and herbal supplements that can increase your risk of bleeding such as aspirin
  • Avoid nail polish on the day of the surgery
  • Avoid sun damage and wear sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure
  • Do not wear any makeup on the day of the surgery
  • Get the prescribed lab testing or medical evaluation
  • Prepare a recovery area at home
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes on the day of the surgery

What is the age limit to undergo blepharoplasty?

  • There is no correct age for undergoing the surgery. If you have excessive skin in your upper eyelids or bulging fat in your lower eyelids, this procedure is right for you as long as you are in good overall health condition. During your consultation, Dr Turner will thoroughly assess your health and expectations to determine if the procedure is right for you.

Can blepharoplasty be a medical necessity?

How long does blepharoplasty take?

  • The length of the surgery will depend on several factors such as the complexity of your procedure, the condition of the eyelids and the skills of your surgeon. In general, blepharoplasty can take an hour to finish.

Can I drive myself home after blepharoplasty?

  • No, you should not drive after the surgery because you will likely experience swelling in your eye area which can impair your vision. In addition, you will feel groggy especially if general anaesthesia is used during the procedure. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you.

How long will it take before I look normal after blepharoplasty?

  • In general, the recovery period might take 2-3 weeks. During this time, the swelling in your eyelid area should completely subside. However, you will need to wait 6 months to 1 year for the final results to become noticeable.

How soon can I go back to work after blepharoplasty?

  • Recovery time after the surgery varies and will depend on the complexity of the procedure and your body’s ability to heal. In general, you can return to work after a few days but make sure to wear protective glasses. If the nature of your job requires heavy lifting and other strenuous activities, you may need a few weeks off before you can return to your work.

When can I wear contact lenses after blepharoplasty?

  • You may need to wait at least 2 weeks before wearing contact lenses to prevent further injury to the eyelid area.

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

  • Enquire to find out more about your surgery
  • Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

  • A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
  • Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
  • Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral

Making The Most Of Your Consultation

  • Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
  • You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
  • Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
  • Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

How to Book Your Consultation

  • You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment

BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO

  • To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2

Contact us or call on  1300 437 758  to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.

Email us for more information:  enquiries@drturner.com.au