Short answer: Blepharoplasty removes or repositions eyelid skin and fat. It can threaten vision if bleeding into the eye socket is not treated urgently, and it can leave dry eyes, ectropion or an eyelid that will not close properly (healthdirect (opens official site); Better Health Channel (opens official site)). ASAPS advises Australians not to fly for 6 to 8 weeks after cosmetic surgery (ASAPS (opens official site)). Prices: Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
Risks and limitations to understand first
From healthdirect (opens official site) and Better Health Channel (opens official site):
- too much skin removed, so the eyelid cannot close properly
- swelling of the conjunctiva, dry or watery eyes, and extreme light sensitivity
- corneal abrasion
- double vision, which can be permanent
- bleeding into the eye socket, which can threaten vision if not treated urgently
- ectropion (outward rolling of the lower eyelid) and lid lag
- unsatisfactory cosmetic result needing another operation
- blood clots and other general surgical risks
Also:
- Medicare doesn’t cover elective cosmetic surgery or treatment overseas (Department of Health (opens official site); Smartraveller (opens official site))
- Australia’s cosmetic surgery safeguards often don’t exist overseas (Ahpra (opens official site))
- If something goes wrong, fixing it can cost more than the original procedure (Smartraveller (opens official site))
Related: facelift, blepharoplasty in Thailand, blepharoplasty in South Korea.
Who may not be suited
Discuss suitability with your Australian GP, and with an ophthalmologist or specialist plastic surgeon if you have dry-eye disease, thyroid eye disease, previous eye surgery or bleeding disorders. Inability to arrange urgent eye review after you leave is a reason to pause.
Recovery and flying
Expect bruising, swelling and light sensitivity for days to weeks. Follow wound-care and activity limits in writing, including how to recognise vision-threatening bleeding. ASAPS advises Australians not to fly for 6 to 8 weeks after cosmetic surgery (ASAPS (opens official site)). Get procedure-specific fit-to-fly clearance in writing.
See flying after surgery, DVT risk, aftercare in Australia and revision surgery in Australia.
What to check
- How to choose a surgeon overseas
- Questions to ask before you book
- Whether an ophthalmologist is involved for functional eyelid problems
- Written emergency plan for orbital bleeding and sudden vision change
- Travel insurance for cosmetic surgery
This hub does not promote finance for cosmetic surgery.
By destination
- Thailand: blepharoplasty in Thailand, plastic surgery in Thailand, Thailand safety
- South Korea: blepharoplasty in South Korea, South Korea guide
- Comparing: Thailand vs Korea plastic surgery, country comparison for plastic surgery
What blepharoplasty involves (educational)
Eyelid surgery removes or repositions skin and fat of the upper and/or lower lids. Risks include dry eye, asymmetry, scarring, inability to close the eyes fully, infection and rare vision-threatening complications. It is usually cosmetic when done for appearance; functional pathways need separate clinical assessment.
Costs and destinations
Price on request, get quotes from clinics. See blepharoplasty costs, blepharoplasty in Thailand, blepharoplasty in South Korea, facelift.
Planning checklist before you book overseas
- Named clinician and facility on the consent pathway
- Licence and accreditation verified on the issuer’s official register (date-stamp your check)
- Itemised quote with inclusions, exclusions and revision policy
- Written fit-to-fly advice before you lock the return flight (flying after surgery)
- Insurance PDS answers in writing for your named procedure (travel insurance for surgery)
- English operation notes, device or implant details, and medication lists to bring home
- An Australian follow-up plan: aftercare in Australia and complications overseas
- Soften “best country” or “cheapest country” framing - match credentials, aftercare and total trip maths
See choosing a surgeon and questions to ask.
Full trip cost beyond the procedure fee
Even when a hospital or clinic tariff is later verified, Australians should add:
- Flights (return; sometimes a second trip for staged work)
- Hotel for the fly-safe window your clinician documents in writing
- Companion costs, time off work, garments, medications and follow-up visits
- Buffer for delayed healing, extra nights or a revision trip (Smartraveller (opens official site))
- Travel insurance that may still exclude elective or planned-procedure complications - read the PDS
Use the trip budget planner and trip cost calculator for non-procedure travel maths only. We only publish AUD figures that sit in our verified price table with a source and access date. If status is pending, this page shows Price on request, get quotes from clinics.
Aftercare, flying home and revision
Arrange Australian follow-up before you travel. Problems can surface weeks or months later, far from the treating clinic. Bring full records in English. See aftercare in Australia, revision surgery in Australia, DVT risk when flying after surgery and flying after surgery.
Medicare does not cover treatment overseas (Medicare overseas). Private health funds usually do not pay for elective work done overseas. Confirm insurance exclusions in writing before you deposit.
Paying without loan marketing
Cosmetic and hair pages on this site do not promote surgeryloans.com.au, BNPL or loan calculators. Use savings, a card you can repay, or licensed advice from your own adviser. Neutral trip maths: trip cost calculator. Cover: travel insurance for cosmetic procedures.
Frequently asked questions
Can blepharoplasty cause blindness?
Bleeding into the eye socket is uncommon but can threaten vision if not treated urgently. Ask how the clinic handles that emergency before you book.
Will dry eyes get worse?
Dry or watery eyes are recognised after blepharoplasty. Pre-existing dry-eye disease needs careful assessment.
When can I fly?
ASAPS advises 6 to 8 weeks after cosmetic surgery. Get written clearance from your surgeon.
Does Medicare cover blepharoplasty?
Elective cosmetic eyelid surgery is generally not covered. Functional eyelid surgery pathways in Australia are separate and must be confirmed with your specialists - do not assume an overseas quote attracts Australian rebates.
Do you recommend clinics?
No. We don’t rank or recommend clinics.
What should be in a written quote?
Itemised clinician and facility fees, anaesthetic, stay length, inclusions and exclusions, revision or remake policy, and what happens if you need a longer stay.
Why does the full trip cost matter more than the procedure fee?
Flights, hotel for the fly-safe window, companion costs, time off work, insurance and a revision buffer often exceed a low procedure-only figure (Smartraveller (opens official site)).
Does this site pick a best or cheapest country?
No. We soften those anchors. Compare named credentials, facility checks, aftercare at home and total trip maths.
Should I decide based on the lowest advertised fee?
No. Compare inclusions, credentials, fly-safe recovery time and revision pathways.
Can eyelid surgery fix vision problems?
Only a clinician can say whether excess lid skin affects your visual field. Do not assume a cosmetic quote covers a functional need.
When can I wear contact lenses again?
Follow written advice from the treating surgeon; dry eye can make lenses uncomfortable for weeks.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026.
- Ahpra, Cosmetic surgery - information for the public: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Cosmetic-surgery-hub/Information-for-the-public.aspx
- ASAPS, Heading overseas for cosmetic surgery: https://aestheticplasticsurgeons.org.au/news/heading-overseas-for-cosmetic-surgery-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
- healthdirect, Blepharoplasty: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/procedures/surgery/blepharoplasty
- Better Health Channel, Blepharoplasty - eyelid surgery: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blepharoplasty-eyelid-surgery
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, What Medicare covers: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/medicare/about/what-medicare-covers
- Smartraveller, Medical tourism: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel-essentials/travel-health/medical-tourism
- Smartraveller, Sun, sand and surgery: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/sun-sand-and-surgery
Disclaimer: The information on medicaltourism.com.au is general in nature. It isn’t medical, legal, financial or credit advice and doesn’t take your personal circumstances into account. See our editorial policy, medical disclaimer and how we make money.