Call Us 
Schedule Consultation 
As the central point of the face and the “windows to the soul,” eyes are a major facial feature that are one of the first things people notice about you.
As people age, the effects of aging often show around the eyes before anywhere else on the face. When people begin to notice wrinkles, fine lines, drooping eyelids, and other signs of aging, they may begin to consider upper eyelid surgery to correct some of these concerns.
At Cruise Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph T. Cruise offers upper eyelid surgery, also known as upper blepharoplasty, to restore a smooth, youthful contour to the upper lids. His precise, artistic approach ensures that your results look natural and harmonious, never overdone.
1 of 34
Upper eyelid surgery (also called upper blepharoplasty, upper eyelid blepharoplasty, or an upper eyelid lift) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, fat, and sometimes a small amount of muscle from the upper eyelids.
The goal of an upper eyelid lift is to restore a smooth, open eyelid contour while maintaining the natural beauty of your eyes. This procedure can also restore field of vision if excess eyelid skin is obscuring your line of sight.
At Cruise Plastic Surgery, Dr. Cruise tailors every eyelid surgery to the individual, evaluating factors like eyelid skin quality, brow position, and underlying connective tissue. For some patients, addressing both the upper and lower eyelids in one surgery, or combining upper eyelid surgery with a brow lift, provides more complete facial rejuvenation. Dr. Cruise will assess your concerns and provide personalized guidance based on your goals. Whether for functional or cosmetic reasons, the goal of an eyelid lift is simple: to make you look brighter, more alert, and more authentically yourself.
Upper blepharoplasty is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation, though general anesthesia is available based on patient preference. Most procedures are completed in about 1 to 1½ hours.
Dr. Cruise makes tiny surgical cuts along the natural crease of the upper lids, allowing him to remove excess skin and possibly fat while minimizing any noticeable scarring injury. If needed, Dr. Cruise sculpts away excess fat deposits that contribute to droopy eyelids or puffiness.
After the procedure, a lubricating ointment applied to the surgical site helps protect the delicate eyelid skin and promote healing. Patients typically move to the recovery room shortly after surgery repairs are complete.
Descent of the upper eyelid is called eyelid ptosis, and it is a less commonly discussed problem of facial aging. This is when one or both of the upper eyelids begin to droop and cover the eye, causing vision problems or concerns about the look of the eye. Joseph T Cruise, MD uses upper eye lift techniques that pull the eyelid back up into its proper positioning for a more open, youthful look. Below, we look at the causes of aging in the eye area and how Dr. Cruise’s precision blepharoplasty techniques address sagging skin, lax muscles, and fat deposits.
The skin around the eye area is particularly sensitive and begins to show the effects of aging sooner than other facial skin. As skin receives damage from the sun and other elements, fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear.
The skin around the eyes also loosens with age, as elastic and supportive connective tissue breaks down and the cheek area loses underlying fat. When this happens, some people find they develop “hooded” or “drooped” eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty is often the solution to these concerns, while lower blepharoplasty addresses concerns like bags under their eyes. Some patients also choose to have a fat transfer or a brow lift to achieve their desired results, especially if their concerns include crow’s feet and deep wrinkles that eyelid surgery alone cannot correct. Non-surgical treatments like a chemical peel or dermabrasion can be combined with an upper eyelid lift to enhance skin quality in this area.
Over time, the muscles that support the eyelids and brow can weaken or become lax, allowing fat and excess skin to descend and create a heavy, tired appearance. In addition, subtle imbalances in the levator muscle and surrounding connective tissue can worsen eyelid drooping and affect the natural eye contour.
Joseph T Cruise, MD, in Orange County, CA, has been a plastic surgeon long enough to witness a revolution in the industry – a better understanding of facial structure and how all its parts combine to create an aged look on the face. Tightening the small muscles around the eyes creates a smoother, more youthful result that looks refreshed—not pulled or artificial. Joseph T Cruise, MD has access to the most current techniques that improve muscle structure around the eye.
Anatomically, you can see here what happens to the muscles around the eye with aging:
Muscles around the eyes are circular in shape.
A drooping eye brow and lateral canthus make the eye look older.
As fat in the face descends, skin and muscle begin to sag. Youthful cheeks are round and full of fat. However, with age, the fat layer thins, leaving the cheeks with a hollow, gaunt appearance. When facial skin is no longer supported by a youthful fat layer, it also loses its volume and begins to wrinkle. Dr. Cruise’s upper eyelid surgery technique carefully evaluates both excess skin and underlying fat changes. When needed, he may incorporate fat repositioning, conservative fat removal, or volume restoration techniques to achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance.
Notice well defined eyelid crease.
Notice descent of eyebrow and lateral canthus.
Upper blepharoplasty corrects both cosmetic and functional concerns related to aging in the eye area, including:
Even mild skin sagging can dramatically impact your facial expression, making you appear older or more fatigued than you feel.
With aging, some people notice that their eyes look tired, even when they feel alert. If you look older and more tired, you may feel older and more tired too. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can transform not just how you look, but also how you feel. Benefits include:
The results of upper blepharoplasty can provide a renewed self confidence, improved body image, and relief from functional impairments like limited peripheral vision.
Example of 43-year-old female who only needed skin and fat removal.
Lateral view of same woman. Notice defined upper lid crease
You may be a good candidate for an upper eyelid lift if you have excess eyelid skin or drooping skin around the eyes. Many candidates also experience limited vision, difficulty applying makeup, or frustration with their appearance despite a healthy lifestyle. Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smokers, and have realistic expectations about possible outcomes and recovery timelines.
Before recommending upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Cruise will review your medical history, evaluate your visual field, and assess any risk factors like eye disease. When he evaluates each patient’s eye area, Joseph T Cruise, MD pays attention to four components of the upper eye region:
Depending on your facial structure, Dr. Cruise may recommend combining upper eyelid surgery with a temporal brow lift. A temporal brow lift is particularly beneficial when the outer third of the brow has descended, contributing to heaviness over the upper eyelid and a tired, closed-off appearance. Gently elevating the brow helps the eyes appear more open, refreshed, and youthful-looking.
Example of 48-year-old female who neededleft lateral canthus elevated in additionto skin and fat removal.
Lateral view of same patient. Notice howelevating the lateral canthus gives almond shape appearance to eye
You can expect some swelling and bruising for the first few days after surgery, which can be eased by applying cold compresses and keeping your head elevated.
Dr. Cruise may recommend prescribed eye drops, antibiotic ointment, and gentle aftercare techniques to reduce swelling and protect the surgical site. Bruising and swelling generally subside within about two weeks. Most people feel ready to return to light activities by five to seven days post-surgery.
Recognizing that recovery is an essential step of any procedure, our team offers personalized support and guidance as you heal. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Cruise ensure your healing is on track, and you are always encouraged to reach with any questions or concerns. As post-op swelling subsides, the results of your upper eyelid lift come into focus, revealing a more open, refreshed gaze.
Example of 38-year-old female who complained of persistent tired appearance. She required a browlift and lateral canthoplasty in addition to removal of excess skin and fat to achieve desiredresult.
Lateral view of same woman. Notice how the eye has become youthful and elegant.
Example of 26-year-old female six weeks before her wedding. She complained that her left eye (right side of picture) was lower than her left. Notice in the BEFORE, how the left upper eyelid touches the pupil, whereas, the left eye is wide open and bright. Also notice difference in eyelid height. After shows both lids at the same level and similar eyelid height.
You’ll see early improvements in your eye contour within the first week, with final results refining over two to three months. As the delicate eyelid tissues heal, swelling fades and the natural beauty of your eyes is restored.
Most patients notice:
With proper sun protection and skin care, results from upper eyelid blepharoplasty can last for many years, helping you feel refreshed and rejuvenated inside and out.
Dr. Joseph Cruise is a highly regarded board-certified plastic surgeon known for his expertise in facial enhancement and natural-looking rejuvenation. His upper eyelid surgeries are tailored to your unique anatomy and goals, ensuring you look refreshed—not different.
Patients choose Cruise Plastic Surgery because they seek a true expert who understands the subtleties of aging, beauty, and self-expression. When it comes to something as delicate as upper eyelid rejuvenation, precision, experience, and artistry matter. We invite you to schedule a virtual or in-person consultation today to discuss your options.
Eyelid surgery involves minimal pain. You may experience discomfort for a couple of days after the procedure, which is well managed with medication and proper aftercare.
If there is a correctable issue, this procedure is suitable for any adult. While upper eyelid surgery is most common in men and women 40 years and older, it can also benefit younger patients with signs of aging in the eye area.
60 is a very popular age for blepharoplasty surgery. Age does not matter as much as the state of your eyelid skin.
If your cosmetic concern primarily revolves around crow's feet and wrinkles around the eyes, then you may not be a good candidate for upper eyelid blepharoplasty. This surgery focuses more on correcting sagging and drooping skin on the upper eyelid only. Individuals with chronic eye conditions are also not ideal candidates for eyelid surgery. Dr. Cruise will help you determine the best treatment plan for you.
Following upper eyelid blepharoplasty, your eyelids will be swollen and bruised for one to three weeks after surgery. Most individuals take 10-14 days to recover.
Although the longevity of results will vary between patients, for most individuals, they can last up to ten years.
