The Upper Eyelid Lift (also known as Upper Blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure routinely requested by patients in our Perth clinic who seek to achieve youthful and aesthetically pleasing eyes.

We can categorise upper eyelid blepharoplasty into:

1) Traditional Blepharoplasty involving the excision of part of the orbicularis oculi muscle (thin muscle encircling the eyes) and the removal of deeper fat pads.

2) Tissue-sparing blepharoplasty which only consists of the removal of excess eyelid skin. As mentioned above, the deeper structures of the upper eye are not removed, making it a quicker, safer and cost-effective option for the right candidate. It is also becoming increasingly popular these days.

In our Perth, Sydney and Alice Springs practices, I often see patients who ask me if Upper Eyelid Lift (blepharoplasty) is eligible for Medicare rebates.

To clarify this, I would like to explain that in Australia, Medicare rebates are applicable only when the upper blepharoplasty is performed to improve a patient's field of vision. For patients in their 60's and above, the loose skin of the upper lids can obscure their external vision, making it difficult for them to perform specific daily tasks (such as driving) and even increase their risk of falls. 

Cosmetic Blepharoplasty, on the other hand, is solely performed to improve facial aesthetics and no Medicare rebates are currently applicable in such case. Any clinics offering cosmetic blepharoplasty under Medicare are potentially in breach of Medicare rules and regulations. 

I have been performing blepharoplasty surgeries since 2011. These days, I complete this procedure in under 60 minutes. (I remember my first independent eyelid procedure took me over 3 hours!)

I routinely perform this procedure under local anesthesia without the need for Twilight or General Anaesthesia. When performing this procedure, I use the CO2 Laser or Radiowave incision technique. For wound closure, I prefer using nonabsorbable 6.0 sutures as they are thin and help to minimise infection, localised allergic reaction or scarring. The stitches will usually come out on Day 8 after the procedure. 

Initial healing takes typically under two weeks. The residual swelling and redness of the incision line will improve over the coming weeks. The best part is that in the majority of cases, results of well-performed eyelid procedure can last for 10 to 15 years.

However, potential risks associated with this procedure include infection, swelling, bruising and delayed healing.