The average cost of double eyelid surgery is $5,205, but it can range up to $12,000, according to 503 patient reviews. Some in-demand providers reportedly charge upwards of $10,000 for this specialized upper eyelid lift.
Also known as Asian blepharoplasty, this cosmetic surgery creates or enhances an upper-eyelid crease and makes eyes look larger, rounder, and more open.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons doesn’t list a price for double eyelid surgery, specifically, on its website. More generally, they put the average cost of cosmetic eyelid surgery at $3,359 for an upper blepharoplasty and $3,876 for a lower blepharoplasty, noting these are surgeon’s fees only (not all-in costs).
When consulting with providers about this blepharoplasty procedure, ask if their cost quotes are all-inclusive and cover the surgeon's fee plus anesthesia, facility fees, and follow-up visits during the recovery process.
Read on to find out:
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Double Eyelid Surgery
Double eyelid surgery has a 90% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, so a solid majority say it’s worth the investment.
Many reviewers say they’re pleased with natural-looking results—subtle yet distinct, as one RealSelf reviewer put it.
The procedure also offers benefits beyond aesthetics. Heavy or puffy eyelids can cause discomfort, and some people overuse their forehead muscles to compensate for "sleepy eyes," leading to headaches. Surgically removing excess skin to lift the eyelids can help alleviate these issues.
That said, not everyone is a good candidate, and not every surgery is a success. Possible side effects and complications include asymmetry, numbness, and the inability to completely close your eyes if too much skin is removed, which can cause dry eyes and require a complicated reconstructive surgery to correct.
Another possibility is that your result might not look the way you had hoped. To avoid what one RealSelf reviewer referred to as "a strong misalignment of expectations, as well as differences in aesthetics," it's important to carefully vet your surgeon before proceeding with this or any facial plastic surgery.
Bringing before and after “wish pics” of patients who look like you to your consultation can also help ensure you’re aligned on what you want to achieve.
These are the biggest factors that will impact the price you pay.
As double eyelid surgery rises in popularity, more and more surgeons offer this eyelid lift procedure. But not everyone who offers it is an expert.
"A lot of surgeons say, 'Yeah, I can do your Asian eyelid surgery. I've done it many times before.' They may mean that they did it 10 times in the last five years, and they're technically capable of doing it, but it's not something that they have a passion for or that they're focused in," explains Dr. Chase Lay, a facial plastic surgeon in San Jose, California. "There are quite a few surgeons across the globe and in North America who have made this their focus," he explains. Dr. Lay devotes much of his practice to performing Asian blepharoplasty.
This procedure is different from a standard blepharoplasty and requires detailed knowledge of Asian-eyelid anatomy. It’s especially important to see an experienced surgeon, ideally a board-certified plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon who specializes in double eyelid surgery. Scrutinize before and after photos to make sure you like their results, and read patient reviews for this specific procedure.
During your consultation, ask lots of questions about their technique and discuss your aesthetic goals in great detail (again, showing them wish pics always helps).
There are many variations in surgical technique—for instance, how high you want the eyelid crease and whether you want it to be tapered or parallel at the inner corner. It's important that you and your surgeon are on the same page about your desired outcome.
The more experienced a surgeon is in performing this delicate procedure, and the more well-versed they are in all the latest advancements, the more you'll pay for their services.
Most people want to look natural and maintain their unique cultural identity. According to Dr. Lay, "it takes a very specific skill set to be able to deliver results, but still maintain the way the person looks."
Asian eyelid surgery has a higher revision rate than regular blepharoplasty, and it can be worth paying more up-front to have your procedure performed by someone who will do it right the first time so you can avoid an expensive revisionary surgery later.
"Anything less than $2,500, be wary," says Dr. Lay. "Paying the right price with the right doctor gets you personalized surgery, a number with a doctor on the other end of the phone (even at night), and excellent post-operative care.
There are two ways to create a double eyelid from a monolid. Your surgeon’s technique may influence the cost of eyelid surgery.
The open technique (most commonly used) involves:
The suture technique, on the other hand, involves simply stitching the crease into position with a series of permanent sutures. Because this approach is quicker (15–20 minutes) and relatively easy, it costs less than the incision method, which takes at least an hour to perform.
However, the suture technique is less reliable and may have to be repeated in the future, at additional expense.
A number of other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures can be performed at the same time as this one, to complement your results:
Combining surgeries into one operation typically costs less than having the procedures done separately—there's one charge for the operating room and anesthesia—plus you only have to undergo one recovery.
Your surgeon may also give you a discount for having multiple plastic surgeries done at the same time. Still, additional procedures will increase your overall bill.
All cosmetic procedures cost more in major metro areas, like New York, which have a higher cost of living. This is especially true if your provider is in a more expensive part of town.
All eyelid surgery is typically performed in an office setting or surgical center under local anesthesia or IV sedation, which is much less expensive than surgery performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia.
Depending on where you live, you may need to travel to have your surgery done by an experienced provider. Be sure to factor in the additional costs for travel expenses.
Double eyelid surgery is considered to be a cosmetic procedure, so it isn't usually covered by health insurance.
However, if you have severely droopy eyelids that impair your vision—a medical condition known as ptosis—insurance might cover some of the cost of the surgical procedure.