Eyelid Retraction Repair: What You Need to Know

Pros

• Eyelid retraction repair surgery can give your eyes a more symmetrical appearance.
• It can improve your ability to close your eyes completely as well as ease dryness, redness, or burning.
• Most eyelid surgeries take less than an hour. 
• Because the incisions are made inside the lids, there’s typically no visible scarring once healed. 
• If you have impaired vision or medically related eye irritations, the procedure may be covered by health insurance.
• RealSelf members who rated the procedure “Worth It” say they are very satisfied with the results. They also report a noticeable difference in their appearance—specifically, that they look happier and less tired.

Cons

• It may take at least six months for you to fully heal and see the final results.
• To prevent strains or complications, you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity or lifting weights for about a month after surgery.
• It’s rare, but doctors on RealSelf report that retraction repair surgery on the lower eyelid could lead to an overcorrection, giving the eyes an even more open look.

• Average Cost:
• $9,725

• Range:
• $5,000 - $29,000

Oculoplastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery may charge more than general plastic surgeons. Your cost will also depend on the location of the practice, the type of anesthesia used, and whether you’re having surgery on the upper or lower lid. Insurance may apply, if the procedure addresses a medical issue, such as impaired vision or chronic eye infections.

The eyelid retraction repair photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

For upper eyelid retraction surgery, the muscle that holds up the lid (called the levator muscle) is usually released to lower the upper eyelid. In extreme cases, skin grafts or spacer grafts may also be used.

Lower eyelid retraction repair surgery can involve a combination of techniques. “Typically, the lower lid retraction is due to a deficiency of skin in the lower lid and would require a skin graft with lower eyelid tightening to adequately correct the problem,” says Sandy, Utah, oculoplastic surgeon Dr. John McCann in a RealSelf Q&A. A 2017 study published in the Korean Journal of Dermatology concluded that milder cases of lower eyelid retraction, however, can usually be corrected without grafts.

Grafts can come from tissue borrowed from your own body (for example, ear cartilage or the oral cavity) or from a material like AlloDerm, which is a tissue derived from donated human skin.

Local sedation can usually be used for upper eyelid repair, but lower eyelid surgery may require deeper anesthesia. Eyelid retraction surgery is done on an outpatient basis and can be completed in as little as one hour.

Expect swelling and bruising around the eyes to last for around two weeks. You may need to wear an eye patch for a few days following surgery, to ensure the eye remains protected.

Other post-op recommendations by your doctor may include:

• Continued application of ice packs, to manage swelling
• Limited strenuous activity (including lifting weights or other heavy items) for the first couple of weeks 
• No contact lenses or eye makeup for at least one week

Depending on the type of surgical technique used, it may take anywhere from 3 to 12 months before you can determine the final results.  “Eyelid surgery is a surgery of millimeters,’” says San Diego facial plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Shumway in a RealSelf Q&A.  “Therefore, a small amount of residual lid swelling will affect the overall look.” 

For those with thyroid eye disease, healing from upper eyelid retraction repair can be an especially “tough deal” because of the possibility of falsely perceived early results, says Beverly Hills, California, oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Steinsapir in a RealSelf Q&A. “It’s essential to overcorrect the eyelid during surgery, anticipating that with healing there will be contraction of the tissues,” he explains. “Not so occasionally, the surgery can actually bottom out the eyelid, leading to an overcorrection. Generally, overcorrection at [just] three weeks post-op is a good sign. If you were perfect [at three weeks], then by three months you would heal with the eyes too open.”

When the surgery is a success, people, like RealSelf member mcowens1, are very pleased. “What a great decision—my eyes aren’t only beautiful, but I look so much happier since the ‘Basset Hound’ droop is gone. It’s life-changing, in that I feel happier by looking happier.”