How Much Does Double Eyelid Surgery Cost?

Double eyelid surgery (Asian blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery for the eyes in which a crease or fold is made in the upper eyelid. 

Asian people who lack a crease in their upper eyelids may seek this surgery because they believe it improves their appearance.  Some believe their eyes look puffy and tired and thus seek this surgery to get “brighter” eyes. 

The reason many of Asian descent lack an eyelid fold is a genetic difference in the attachment of upper eyelid skin to the muscle that pulls the eyelid up.

Double eyelid surgery in the U.S. costs a little over $3,000, according to the latest averages, not including hospital expenses.

• Patients seeking cosmetic changes: People with puffy upper eyelids and an absent crease may not like their appearance. They may report problems applying eyeliner.
• Reducing vision problems: Double eyelid surgery can be done for medical reasons (as opposed to cosmetic) to remove an extra fold of skin causing problems in vision.
• Part of another cosmetic procedure: As a part of surgery for drooping eyelids (ptosis).

• Your doctor will take relevant measurements and make markings on your eyes.
• The anesthesiologist administers anesthesia.
• They will then make surgical cuts on the upper eyelid.
• Excess fat will be removed.
• Stitches attach the eyelid skin at an appropriate level on the muscle to create a crease.
• The skin is closed and dressed.

• Asymmetry or unequal appearance of the eyelids
• Loss of crease
• Drooping eyelids
• Scarring
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Vision problems
• Dry eyes
• Infection 

Around 50% of people of Pacific Asian descent (Korean, Japanese, Chinese) do not have an upper eyelid crease. Blepharoplasty has been the most common cosmetic surgical procedure of the face among this population. It is performed more often in women than in men.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, on average, costs $3,163, according to the 2018 data of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 

However, this cost does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. The fee varies depending on the type of procedure, the geographic location of the hospital and the experience of your operating surgeon. Thus, it is wise to consult with your plastic surgeon's office to ascertain your final fee. You should also ask about any available patient financing plans from the doctor’s office.

The eyelid surgery costs mainly include:

• Surgeon's fee
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Anesthesia fees
• Medications cost
• Medical tests

Coverage for cosmetic surgeries and their complications is not usually offered by most health insurance. Nonetheless, when eyelid surgery is done to remove the extra skin covering the eyelashes, it may be covered by insurance.