What causes droopy eyelids?
Two different problems produce a similar-looking droop. In the first, the lid opens normally but skin hangs over it, hiding the crease and resting on the lashes. In the second, the lid margin itself sits low because the levator muscle or its tendon has stretched — from age, years of contact-lens wear, eye rubbing, or since birth.
Treating the wrong one is the commonest reason for disappointment: removing skin from a lid with true ptosis leaves the eye still looking sleepy. If muscle weakness is the main issue, ptosis correction is the core of the operation; if it is mainly skin, an upper blepharoplasty may be enough.
Who is a good candidate for droopy eyelid surgery?
- Lids that rest on or below the top of the iris making you look tired or bored.
- Raising your eyebrows to see or a tired forehead by evening.
- One eye visibly lower than the other.
- Skin folding onto the lashes or smudging eye make-up.
- Healthy eyes with no untreated dry eye or thyroid eye disease.
Younger patients who mainly want a wider, brighter eye shape may also want to read about eye widening surgery.
Skin removal vs ptosis repair vs both
| Skin removal | Ptosis repair | Combined | |
| Main problem | Excess lid skin | Weak levator muscle | Both |
| What changes | Hooding, crease visibility | Lid height, eye opening | Both |
| Incision | Crease | Crease or inner lid | Crease |
| Downtime | 7–10 days | 10–14 days | 10–14 days |
| Typical patient | 40s and older | Any age | 40s and older |
How is droopy eyelid surgery done?
Before & after
Before
After
More eyelid cases are in our before & after gallery.
How long is recovery from droopy eyelid surgery?
| Day 1–3 | Lids feel tight and look swollen; closing fully may feel stiff. Cold compresses and lubricating drops. |
|---|---|
| Day 5–7 | Stitches removed; bruising yellows and fades. |
| Week 2 | Most people return to desk work, with glasses if needed. |
| Month 1–3 | Lid height and crease settle into their final shape. |
“Both eyes should look awake, and both should still close properly when you sleep.”
Dr. Lee Yoo-jung · Chief DirectorWhat are the risks?
The most common issue is a small height difference between the two lids once swelling settles, which occasionally needs a minor adjustment. Other risks include temporary dry eye, incomplete closure in the early weeks, and over- or under-correction. Lids are never perfectly symmetrical before surgery, and they will not be perfectly symmetrical after it.
Frequently asked questions
Is droopy eyelid the same as ptosis?
Not always. Ptosis means the lid margin is low because of a weak muscle; a droopy look can also come from loose skin alone.
Will I get a double eyelid crease?
Usually yes, because the incision sits in the crease. Its height can be designed to suit your face.
Will it improve my vision?
If the lid was covering part of the pupil, many patients notice a wider upper field of view afterwards.
Am I awake during surgery?
You are sedated and comfortable but able to open your eyes when asked, which helps match the two sides.
Can it come back?
Results are long-lasting, but ageing continues and some patients notice gradual change over many years.
Who will operate?
Dr. Lee Yoo-jung performs the consultation, surgery and every follow-up visit.