Blepharoplasty is performed through external incisions made along the natural skin lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids, or from the inside surface of the lower eyelid. Initial swelling and bruising take one to two weeks to resolve but at least several months are needed until the final result becomes stable. Depending upon the scope of the procedure, the operation takes one to three hours to complete. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery estimates the average physician/surgeon fee for blepharoplasty for 2005 to be around $2,813. These fees are for the physician/surgeon fees only and do not include fees for the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, surgical garments or any other miscellaneous costs related to the surgery.

Asian blepharoplasty, or double eyelid surgery, is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery among those of east and southeast Asian background. About half of this population are born without an eyelid crease and are called single-lidded. Surgery is used to create a crease above the eye, thus making the eye appear more open and alert and facilitating the application of make up.