Your eyes are often the first thing people notice about your face and are important aspect of facial attractiveness. The eyelids protect one's eyes in addition to adding to their cosmetic appearance.

Unfortunately, over time your upper and/or lower eyelids may become "droopy" or "baggy" because the eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and fat pockets bulge and become more prominent. This most commonly occurs because of the aging process but also may be a hereditary condition that runs in your family. Your eyebrows also may sag or droop as a part of the same process.

Aesthetically, such conditions may detract from the overall attractiveness of one's eyes and cause a "tired" or older appearance. When severe, these conditions also may cause functional problems, such as impaired field of vision (baggy upper eyelids) or difficulty wearing glasses (baggy lower eyelids).

Eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of the eyelids is termed blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia with sedation if desired.

The goal of this eyelid surgery is to reduce the "baggy" or sagging tissues, which may include skin, muscle, and fat pockets. During surgery, incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelid (in the crease of the upper eyelid and just beneath the lashes or behind the lower eyelid) so that they are virtually unnoticeable after the tissues have healed. In cases where the eyebrows are also droopy, a procedure to elevate the eyebrows may be appropriate. This procedure is known as a forehead lift.

Cosmetic eyelid and eyebrow surgery is commonly performed by ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeons who specialize in disease and conditions affecting the eyelids, lacrimal (tear) system, the orbit (bone cavity around the eye), and adjacent facial structures.