Eyelid surgery is Singapore’s most popular cosmetic surgery—But it’s not without risks

According to the ISAPS Global Survey 2024, Singapore recorded 3,185 eyelid surgeries in the past year, making blepharoplasty the country’s most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure—a trend that mirrors the rest of the world. Globally, eyelid surgery topped the list of surgical aesthetic procedures, with 2.1 million operations performed in 2024, representing a 13.4 per cent increase from the previous year.

Its widespread popularity may make the procedure seem routine, but a recent case from China is a sobering reminder that even a commonly performed surgery carries risks—especially when carried out by unqualified practitioners.

According to reports, a woman from Suzhou, who goes by the alias Wang Li, underwent eyelid surgery at Meixi Clinic in June 2020 after it was recommended by an acquaintance. She reportedly paid just over S$2,000 for the procedure, which was assessed and performed by the clinic’s director.

However, within hours of the operation, Wang began experiencing severe pain, increased pressure in her eyes and ectropion—a condition in which the eyelids turn outwards and droop away from the eyeball. Her symptoms became so severe that she required emergency treatment that very night.

The complications did not end there. Since the surgery, Wang has reportedly been unable to fully close her eyes, even while sleeping, while damage to her tear ducts has left her eyes constantly watering. Medical examinations later found that there was a gap of approximately 1cm whenever she attempted to close her eyelids completely, alongside corneal inflammation.

Her injuries were ultimately classified as a Grade 9 disability, indicating a partial loss of working ability and mild functional impairment.

Authorities later discovered that the clinic director did not hold a valid medical licence and that the clinic itself lacked the necessary permits to perform the surgery.

Why can this happen?

According to dermatologist and founder of The Skin Longevity Clinic, Dr Rachel Ho, one possible complication of upper eyelid surgery is lagophthalmos, or incomplete eyelid closure.

“This can occur if too much skin or the underlying orbicularis oculi muscle is removed during surgery,” she explains. “The upper eyelid and this muscle work together to close the eye, so excessive tissue removal can compromise that function.”

Another potential cause is poor wound healing. “Scar tissue can contract as it heals, pulling the upper eyelid upwards and resulting in incomplete eyelid closure,” says Dr Ho.

She adds that the risk of developing this complication depends on both the surgeon’s technique and individual healing factors. “In the immediate postoperative period, swelling can also temporarily prevent the eyelids from closing fully, but this usually improves as the swelling subsides.”