Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery that corrects excess skin (drooping eyelids) and bags under the eyes.
It is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, lasts 30 to 45 minutes, and offers results that last 5 to 10 years. In Switzerland, prices generally start at CHF 2,900, and the procedure may be covered by basic health insurance (LAMal) when visual field impairment is documented.
However, not all drooping eyelids require surgery. Some mild cases respond to non-surgical treatments (botulinum toxin, thread lifts, HIFU). The appropriate time to consider surgery depends on two criteria: the intensity of the aesthetic discomfort experienced on a daily basis and the potential impact on vision.
This article details the causes of drooping eyelids and bags under the eyes, the warning signs, the surgical and non-surgical options available in Geneva, as well as questions of price and reimbursement by health insurance.
The skin on the eyelids is the thinnest on the body. With age, it loses its elasticity (reduction in collagen and elastin) and accumulates in a visible fold over the mobile eyelid. This phenomenon, known as dermatochalasis, generally appears around the age of 40.
At the same time, the eyelid lift muscle gradually weakens, accentuating the "heavy eyelid" effect. In the lower eyelids, it is the displacement of orbital fat that forms bags under the eyes, a problem that neither rest nor creams can correct.
The hereditary component is often underestimated. Marked bags from the age of 25-30 or early excess skin are frequently found in several members of the same family. If your parents have droopy eyelids, there's a good chance you'll be affected at a similar age.
Chronic sun exposure, smoking, lack of sleep and stress accelerate skin sagging around the eyes. These factors can bring forward the onset of the problem by several years.
Not all droopy eyelids require intervention. The right moment to consult depends on the intensity of the discomfort felt.
A fold of skin that falls back onto the mobile eyelid and gradually "closes" the eyes. Persistent bags under the eyes, whatever your level of rest. Asymmetry between the two eyes. Difficulty applying make-up to the mobile eyelid, which has become almost invisible.
The discomfort goes beyond the aesthetic aspect when the excess skin begins to obstruct the visual field. The most common signs: the need to tilt the head back to see better, permanent frowning of the eyebrows (a source of headaches at the end of the day), increased eye fatigue when reading or driving.
As the HUG, a visual field examination can then objectify this discomfort and determine whether the operation falls within a functional indication.
In short, if your drooping eyelids affect your visual comfort, confidence or daily life on a regular basis, a specialist consultation is warranted. The aim is not to push for an operation, but to assess your situation with a surgeon who will guide you towards the right solution.
When sagging remains moderate, several aesthetic medicine treatments can improve the look without surgery:
These approaches offered at the Clinique de la Croix d'Or cannot remove significant excess skin or treat fatty pockets. When they are no longer sufficient, surgery becomes the reference solution.
Blepharoplasty is a procedure that lasts 30 to 45 minutes, usually under local anaesthetic and on an outpatient basis. It is available in two approaches depending on the area to be corrected.
The upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the upper eyelid via an incision in the natural eyelid crease. The scar, hidden in this crease, becomes almost invisible after healing.
Lower blepharoplasty targets the bags under the eyes. The incision is made either under the eyelashes or transconjunctivally (inside the eyelid), which leaves no visible scarring on the skin.
Both procedures can be performed during the same operation to treat all four eyelids simultaneously.
The surgeon can also combine blepharoplasty with lipofilling or hyaluronic acid injections to fill hollow dark circles, or combine it with a mini-facelift for a more overall rejuvenation of the eyes.
In addition, the eyebrow tail lift is a procedure often associated with upper blepharoplasty. Over time, the outer part of the eyebrow sags and accentuates the drooping eyelid effect. This facelift repositions the tail of the eyebrow upwards to open up the eyes, via a discreet incision hidden in the hairline.
Combined with blepharoplasty, it treats both excess skin and drooping eyebrows.
For a detailed description of the procedure, visit our page dedicated to blepharoplasty.
The price of eyelid surgery depends on the area treated (upper, lower or all four), the type of anaesthetic and the complexity of the procedure. In French-speaking Switzerland, prices generally start from CHF 2,900 to 3,500 for an upper blepharoplasty and increase for combined procedures.
A personalised estimate is always drawn up after consultation. For an initial estimate, consult our rates page.
Basic insurance does not reimburse purely cosmetic procedures. However, when drooping eyelids cause measurable impairment of the visual field, the operation may be considered medically necessary.
The procedure: an ophthalmological assessment documents the deficit, then the file is submitted to the insurance company for approval. According to the Swiss Society of Consultant Doctors, the essential condition is that functional discomfort takes precedence over aesthetic motivation. In practice, this mainly concerns upper blepharoplasties with severe dermatochalasis.
For procedures not covered, the Clinique de la Croix d'Or offers payment facilities.
During the initial consultation, the surgeon examines the entire eye area: eyelids, forehead, eyebrow position, skin quality, and any dark circles. This comprehensive analysis helps identify the best strategy—surgical or non-surgical.
An ophthalmological examination is generally required to rule out dry eye (a possible contraindication) and assess any potential impact on the visual field. Quitting smoking at least three weeks before the procedure is recommended, as is adjusting certain medications (aspirin, anticoagulants).
A reflection period between the consultation and the procedure is always observed. To ask questions or schedule an appointment, please contact us using the form at the bottom of the page.
Drooping eyelids are not inevitable. Whether they are linked to aging, genetics, or environmental factors, solutions exist to regain an open and rested look.
The right time to consider blepharoplasty is not dictated by a specific age, but by the discomfort you experience on a daily basis. At the Clinique de la Croix d'Or in Geneva, each patient benefits from a personalized assessment to determine the most suitable solution.
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