Eyelid surgery abroad: blepharoplasty costs in Turkey for UK patients (2026)

Blepharoplasty — eyelid surgery — is one of the top five cosmetic procedures for UK patients travelling to Turkey. It addresses drooping upper eyelids (ptosis), excess upper eyelid skin, lower eyelid bags or hollowness, and loose lower eyelid skin. It is a relatively brief surgical procedure with a short recovery period, which makes it attractive for a combined trip. Here is what you need to know.

Blepharoplasty costs: Turkey vs UK

At reputable Istanbul clinics:

• Upper blepharoplasty only: £800–£1,400
• Lower blepharoplasty only: £1,000–£1,800
• Upper + lower (four-lid) blepharoplasty: £1,500–£2,500

In UK private practice: upper blepharoplasty alone costs £2,000–£3,500; four-lid blepharoplasty costs £3,500–£6,000. Add flights and 5–7 days accommodation (£300–£600) and the Turkish all-in cost is still £1,800–£3,100 — a saving of at least £2,000 even on the lower-intervention option.

Upper vs lower blepharoplasty: what does each address?

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and sometimes a small amount of fat or muscle from the upper eyelid. It is the most commonly performed eyelid procedure. It can significantly refresh the periorbital area and, in cases of true brow ptosis, improve the visual field.

Lower blepharoplasty is more technically demanding. It addresses under-eye bags (fat prolapse), hollowness (tear-trough deformity), or excess lower eyelid skin. The transcutaneous approach (external incision just below the lash line) is traditional; the transconjunctival approach (incision inside the eyelid, no visible scar) is preferred where only fat repositioning or removal is needed without skin excision.

Is blepharoplasty medical or cosmetic?

In some patients, drooping upper eyelids are a functional issue — the eyelid skin is obstructing the upper visual field. This is true ptosis or dermatochalasis with functional impact. In these cases, the surgery can be performed as a medical procedure in the UK (sometimes NHS-funded). Most blepharoplasty abroad is cosmetic (appearance-driven, not visual-field-driven). If you have functional concerns, get a UK ophthalmologist assessment first to understand your options.

Choosing a clinic in Turkey for blepharoplasty

• The procedure should be performed by a plastic surgeon or ophthalmic surgeon (ophthalmologist with oculoplastic training) — not by a dermatologist or general aesthetic practitioner.
• Verify the surgeon's registration with TPRECD (Turkish Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Association) or the Turkish Ophthalmology Association (for oculoplastic surgeons).
• Most upper blepharoplasties are performed under local anaesthesia with sedation — you should not need general anaesthesia for upper lids only. A clinic that insists on GA for a straightforward upper blepharoplasty is either being over-cautious or (more worryingly) adding anaesthesia charges unnecessarily.
• Ask for before-and-after photographs of blepharoplasty cases — at least 10–15. Good blepharoplasty looks refreshed, not "operated on."

Recovery timeline

Day 1: Surgery (typically 45–90 minutes), return to hotel or recovery room same day. Days 2–5: Significant bruising and swelling around the eyes. Cold compresses. Stay in Istanbul for your day 5 post-operative check. Day 5–7: Sutures removed (if non-dissolving) and cleared to fly home. Week 2: Most bruising faded. Many patients return to work at day 7–10. Month 1–3: Final result visible; scars fade to near-invisible in the eyelid skin crease.

Risks to be aware of

Dry eye: A known risk of blepharoplasty, particularly lower lid surgery. If you have pre-existing dry eye syndrome, discuss this specifically with your surgeon — it can worsen post-operatively. Asymmetry: Minor asymmetry is normal; significant asymmetry may require revision. Ectropion: Lower lid retraction (ectropion) is a serious complication of lower blepharoplasty, particularly in patients with lax lower lids. An experienced surgeon will assess for this pre-operatively. Vision changes: Extremely rare but documented; seek immediate medical attention for any change in vision post-operatively. This is a genuine emergency.

Combining with other procedures

Blepharoplasty is frequently combined with facelift, brow lift, or fat grafting in a single session. It can also be combined safely with rhinoplasty if the operative time is appropriate. Thread lifts and Ultherapy are sometimes offered as alternatives to or in combination with blepharoplasty — understand what each addresses before consenting to a package.