Procedure guide · 10 listed FRACS surgeons
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in Australia: cost, recovery and surgeon checklist
Blepharoplasty reshapes the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both, by removing or repositioning excess skin, fat and muscle. Upper blepharoplasty is the single most common procedure in plastic surgery worldwide - it produces dramatic refreshment of the eye area with minimal downtime. Around 8,000 to 10,000 blepharoplasties are performed annually in Australia per ASPS data.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Blepharoplasty reshapes the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both, by removing or repositioning excess skin, fat and muscle.
- ✓Typical Australian cost: $5,500 to $12,000 all-inclusive (Medicare MBS 45617 / 45620 (visual field impairment with criteria) may apply).
- ✓10 FRACS-qualified plastic surgeons in our directory list eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) among their specialisations.
- ✓Source: ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory, AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023, Medicare Benefits Schedule. Last updated 17 May 2026.
What it is
What eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) actually involves
Upper blepharoplasty: incision hidden in the natural upper eyelid crease, excess skin and a small amount of fat removed. Operating time 30-60 minutes under local anaesthesia or light sedation. Suitable for patients with hooded upper eyelids or visual field impairment from skin overhang.
Lower blepharoplasty: addresses under-eye bags (orbital fat) and lower lid skin laxity. Technique choice: transconjunctival (incision inside the lower lid - leaves no visible scar, suitable when no skin needs to be removed) or transcutaneous (incision just below lash line - allows skin removal). More technically demanding than upper, with higher risk of lid retraction or ectropion if not performed by an experienced surgeon.
When upper eyelid skin overhang is severe enough to impair peripheral vision (documented by ophthalmologist + visual field test), MBS items 45617 / 45620 attract Medicare rebate. Documentation requirements are strict - the visual field test must show specific peripheral field loss attributed to the eyelid skin. Purely cosmetic blepharoplasty receives no rebate.
Who is a candidate
- Excess upper eyelid skin (hooded appearance) or under-eye bags
- No active dry-eye syndrome (blepharoplasty can worsen dry eye temporarily and significantly with aggressive resection)
- No untreated glaucoma
- Realistic expectations - blepharoplasty addresses excess skin and fat but does not address dark circles, fine lines, or eyebrow position (those require different treatments)
- Smoking ceased 4 weeks minimum
- Two-week cooling-off period observed
Typical recovery timeline
Day 0-3
Day procedure, no hospital stay. Ice packs continuously for 48 hours to minimise swelling + bruising. Sleep on back, head elevated. Lubricating eye drops + ointment.
Week 1
Stitches removed at 5-7 days. Significant bruising fades from purple to yellow. Off work 7-10 days. Makeup can cover from day 7-10.
Week 2-4
Bruising mostly resolved. Most return to social activity by 14 days. Subtle residual swelling persists.
Month 1-3
Most swelling resolved by 6-8 weeks. Final shape settles. Scar in upper lid crease very inconspicuous; lower lid scar (if transcutaneous) fades over 6-12 months.
See the full day-by-day timeline: Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) recovery timeline
Cost in Australia 2026
Upper blepharoplasty alone: $5,500 to $8,500. Lower alone: $7,500 to $10,500. Combined upper + lower: $10,000 to $15,000. Medicare-rebated when visual field impairment documented; can reduce out-of-pocket by $1,500 to $3,500.
Medicare MBS items: 45617 / 45620 (visual field impairment with criteria)
Questions to ask at consultation
- Do I qualify for Medicare under MBS 45617 / 45620? Do I need a visual field test from an ophthalmologist?
- Upper, lower, or both - what do you recommend for my anatomy?
- For lower, transconjunctival or transcutaneous - and why?
- What is your ectropion / lid retraction rate (lower blepharoplasty complication)?
- Will you address my eyebrow position or just the eyelids? (Sometimes brow lift is more appropriate than upper blepharoplasty)
- What is your dry-eye protocol pre- and post-op?
See our complete guide: 10 questions to ask any plastic surgeon
Red flags to walk away from
- ✗ Promises Medicare rebate without referring for ophthalmologist visual field assessment
- ✗ Performs lower blepharoplasty in office without experience in transcutaneous technique
- ✗ No discussion of dry eye risk
- ✗ Combines with too many other facial procedures without acknowledging combined risk
- ✗ No mention of post-op eye lubrication protocol
Regulatory note
AHPRA s133 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law restricts cosmetic procedure advertising. We do not display before-and-after images or testimonials on this site. Verify any surgeon at ahpra.gov.au and cross-check ASPS membership at plasticsurgery.org.au before booking any procedure.
Directory · FRACS Specialist Plastic Surgeons
10 listed surgeons who include eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in their specialisations
Cross-referenced against AHPRA Specialist Register and ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory. We list FRACS-qualified specialists only.
Melbourne · Brighton
FRACSMr Keith Mutimer AM
Brighton Plastic Surgery
Member of the Order of Australia (AM, 2021). Past Vice President of RACS. Former President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Sydney · Darlinghurst
FRACSDr Steven Liew
Shape Clinic
First Australian admitted as fellow in plastic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York. Founder of Shape Clinic since 2005.
Sydney · Bondi Junction
FRACSDr Naveen Somia
Naveen Somia Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
Immediate Past President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. PhD on eyelid reanimation, University of Louisville.
Sydney · Mosman
FRACSDr Nicholas Lotz
Dr Nicholas Lotz Plastic Surgery
Australian-trained Specialist Plastic Surgeon practising on Sydney's Lower North Shore.
Melbourne · East Melbourne
FRACSProf Mark Ashton
Ashton Plastic Surgery
Past President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (2017-19). Clinical Professor at the University of Melbourne. Chair of Plastic Surgery at Epworth F…
Adelaide · Wayville
FRACSDr Jonathan Azzopardi
AZZXPARDI
FRACS-qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon practising in Wayville, Adelaide.
Melbourne · Hawthorn East
FRACSMr John Beer
Rathmines Clinic
John received his primary medical education from Melbourne University, and completed his undergraduate training at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.
Melbourne · Melbourne
FRACSDr Miguel Cabalag
Dr Miguel Cabalag Plastic Surgery
Mr Miguel Cabalag is an Australian trained Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic surgeon with international fellowship experience.
Sydney · Wollstonecraft
FRACSProf Sydney Ch’ng
Melanoma Institute Australia
Prof Ch’ng is a Head & Neck and Plastic Surgeon at Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA), Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Cancer Centre and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (R…
Sydney · Westmead
FRACSDr Vincent Choi
Westmead Private Hospital
Dr Vincent Choi is a Sydney based Specialist Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon who specialises in breast, head & neck, sarcoma reconstruction and hand su…
Common questions
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) - common questions
Will Medicare cover blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty is rebated under MBS 45617 / 45620 when visual field impairment from upper eyelid skin overhang is documented by an ophthalmologist with formal visual field testing. The peripheral field loss must specifically be attributable to the eyelid skin. Purely cosmetic upper blepharoplasty receives no rebate. Lower blepharoplasty is never Medicare-rebated.
How long do results last?
Upper blepharoplasty results last 10-15 years before any meaningful re-laxity returns - one of the most durable plastic surgery procedures. Lower blepharoplasty results are typically permanent for the fat repositioning component, though skin laxity continues to evolve with age.
Can I see clearly during recovery?
Yes, vision is not affected. The eyelids will feel tight, swollen, and may have temporary blurred vision from lubricating ointment for the first few days. Most patients can read and use a computer with mild blurring from day 1; eye strain is the main limitation in the first week. Light avoidance helps - wear sunglasses outdoors.
What is the difference between blepharoplasty and a brow lift?
Blepharoplasty addresses the eyelid itself - excess skin, fat, muscle. Brow lift addresses the position of the eyebrows above the eye. Patients with low or descended brows may be told their "upper eyelid hooding" is actually brow descent, and that brow lift is the appropriate procedure (not blepharoplasty). A good consultation differentiates these and may recommend brow lift alone, blepharoplasty alone, or both.
How do I know if my under-eye bags need blepharoplasty or just fillers?
True under-eye bags are caused by orbital fat herniating forward and require lower blepharoplasty to address structurally. Tear-trough hollows or dark circles caused by volume deficit can be addressed with hyaluronic acid filler ($600-$900 per syringe, lasts 12-18 months). Many patients have both. A consultation with a plastic surgeon can differentiate and recommend the appropriate combination.