Mini eyelid surgery is the surgical aesthetic enhancement of the upper or lower eyelids. Mini eyelid surgery can also be preformed for medical reasons when eyelid imperfections cause vision problems. This procedure is medically termed blepharoplasty and is the third leading cosmetic procedure performed in the United States. In 2003 alone, nearly 270,000 men and women underwent eyelid surgery in the United States. Mini eyelid surgery is a very desirable procedure which is less expensive and highly satisfying to patients who seek this plastic surgery option.

Mini eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids. People who have droopy upper eyelids may benefit from mini eyelid surgery. The upper eyelids can droop as a result of genetics and aging which can be corrected through mini eyelid surgery. Mini eyelid surgery can also be performed to reduce or eliminate the bagginess and puffiness under the eyes by removing excess skin and fat in the lower eyelid. The traditional eyelid surgery procedure usually corrects both eyelids, but a mini eyelid surgery will be restricted to the upper or lower eyelids.

A mini eyelid surgery procedure is generally less expensive than the traditional and more complex procedure. Upper eyelid mini eyelid surgery averages approximately $2,100, while lower eyelid mini eyelid surgery averages $2,500 nationally. This cost of mini eyelid surgery does not include related expenses, such as surgeon fees, facility fees, and other costs. For comparison, the traditional eyelid surgery costs average four thousand dollars.

When considering mini eyelid surgery, it is important to have realistic expectations about what this procedure can and cannot deliver. Mini eyelid surgery has a number of aesthetic and reconstructive benefits, but this surgery cannot alter dark circles under the eyes, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, or change sagging eyebrows. There are also certain populations for whom mini eyelid surgery may not be appropriate. People with a history of eye problems, high blood pressure, glaucoma, and thyroid disease may not be good candidates for mini eyelid surgery.

The mini eyelid surgery procedure itself is usually performed on an outpatient basis under a local anesthesia plus sedation, though sometimes it is performed using a general anesthesia. The mini eyelid surgery procedure takes between one and three hours to complete. After the mini eyelid surgery is completed a patient is allowed to return home to begin the recovery process. Mini eyelid surgery patients will typically experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort for the first few days to a few weeks following surgery. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications that can occur during and after a mini eyelid surgery procedure. To mitigate these risks it is important to follow all after care instructions.