--- title: "Eyelid Surgery and Dry Eyes | APS" url: "https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/eyelid-surgery-and-dry-eyes-questions-for-your-consultation" type: "Blog article" section: "Blog > Treatment Guides" summary: "Prepare questions about eyelid surgery and dry eyes, relevant eye treatment history, suitability and any further assessment you may need." published: "2026-11-09" updated: "2026-11-09" article_section: - "Treatment Guides" audience: "Adults considering cosmetic plastic surgery or non-surgical treatments, in Cheshire, Manchester and Barbados." language: "en-GB" publisher: "Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons" --- # Eyelid surgery and dry eyes: Questions for your consultation [Treatment Guides](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/treatment-guides) Prepare questions about eyelid surgery and dry eyes, relevant eye treatment history, suitability and any further assessment you may need. 9 November 2026 Dry, gritty or uncomfortable eyes are worth mentioning before you consider eyelid surgery. Even if your main goal concerns appearance, your surgeon needs to hear about symptoms and any eye care you already receive. This guide helps you organise the conversation. It cannot diagnose dry eye, determine whether eyelid surgery is suitable or recommend eye medicines. Do not change existing treatment on the strength of a general article. ## Describe symptoms in everyday language Explain what you notice, when it happens and how it affects you. For example, do your eyes feel uncomfortable during particular tasks or at certain times? Tell the team whether the symptoms are longstanding or have changed. You do not need a confirmed diagnosis to mention a concern. Equally, do not label every symptom as dry eye if no clinician has assessed it. A clear description gives the team a better starting point than an online self-test. ## Bring your eye-care history Tell the surgeon about contact lenses, eye drops or other treatment, known eye conditions and previous eye operations. If another clinician looks after your eyes, ask which letters or reports would help. Keep unknown details clear. If you cannot recall a procedure name or a medicine, say so and ask how to provide an accurate update. Do not stop a prescribed treatment to prepare for a consultation unless the responsible clinician has told you to. ## Ask how eye health affects the assessment Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, changes the skin or fat around the eyelids. Discuss medical issues and reasons the operation may not be appropriate. [NHS eyelid surgery information](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/eyelid-surgery/). Ask how your current symptoms affect the risks and the options. Would further eye assessment help? Which question would that assessment answer? Having symptoms does not allow a general website to give a blanket yes or no about surgery. ## Separate appearance goals from comfort Write down what you want to change about appearance and what you want to understand about discomfort. Then ask which concerns the proposed operation addresses. Do not assume a cosmetic change will resolve an eye condition. The NHS lists eye irritation, problems with eyelid closure and other eye-related risks in its eyelid-surgery information. Ask the surgeon to explain the risks relevant to the actual procedure and your circumstances. A list online cannot predict your individual outcome. ## Clarify the aftercare plan If surgery remains an option, ask how the team would advise you about existing symptoms during recovery. Who should you contact about a change? What requires urgent attention? What advice will you receive about contact lenses and medicines? Do not rely on another person's eye-drop routine or return-to-lenses date. Before deciding, make sure you understand the proposed care and any unresolved questions. If symptoms change before the operation, tell the team rather than assuming the earlier assessment still covers the situation. ## Further information Read the [APS eyelid surgery information](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/procedures/face/eyelid-surgery) for more background. You can also [contact APS](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/contact) to ask about an individual consultation or clarify the questions to bring. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why should I mention dry eyes before considering eyelid surgery? Existing eye symptoms are relevant to an assessment of eyelid surgery and its risks. Some surgical procedures can exacerbate eye symptoms. Describe the symptoms and any previous professional advice. The consultation should consider eye health as well as appearance rather than assuming the concerns are unrelated. ### Which details about my dry-eye symptoms are useful at consultation? Explain when symptoms occur, how they affect you and any treatment you already use. Include changes over time and known diagnoses. ### Should I mention contact lenses when discussing eyelid surgery? Yes. Tell the team about contact-lens use and any discomfort or previous problems. Ask whether this affects assessment and postoperative planning. Do not stop a prescribed treatment or make assumptions about lens use after surgery without individual advice. ### Are previous eye operations relevant to a blepharoplasty consultation? Share relevant operations, eye conditions and existing specialist advice. Available records can help the surgeon decide whether further information or professional input is needed. Do not assume a previous procedure either rules out eyelid surgery or has no bearing on it. ### Does having dry eyes automatically rule out eyelid surgery? A diagnosis or symptom alone does not establish suitability. The surgeon must assess the individual situation and may need further input. ### Can cosmetic eyelid surgery be promised to solve my eye discomfort? No. The purpose and limits of the proposed operation need to be explicit. Appearance-related treatment should not be presented as a guaranteed remedy for discomfort or an eye condition that may require its own assessment and management. ### What should I ask about dry-eye symptoms during recovery? Ask how existing symptoms may affect aftercare, what changes should prompt contact and which team will advise on eye-related concerns. Use the treating team’s instructions. ### What should I bring if another clinician already treats my eyes? Bring the details requested by the surgical team, such as relevant letters and a current treatment list. Ask how information should be shared securely. ## Sources - [NHS: Before you have a cosmetic procedure](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/advice/before-you-have-a-cosmetic-procedure/) - [BAAPS: Eyelid surgery](https://baaps.org.uk/patients/procedures/9/eyelid_surgery) Share this article - Share via Email - Copy Link - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn - Share on Pinterest ## You may also like [View all articles ](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog) - [](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/liposuction-and-loose-skin-what-to-discuss-before-treatment) Treatment Guides[Liposuction and loose skin: What to discuss before treatment](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/liposuction-and-loose-skin-what-to-discuss-before-treatment)9 November 2026[Read article ](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/liposuction-and-loose-skin-what-to-discuss-before-treatment) - [](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/diabetes-cosmetic-surgery-planning) Treatment Guides[Diabetes and elective cosmetic surgery: Planning questions for your teams](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/diabetes-cosmetic-surgery-planning)9 November 2026[Read article ](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/diabetes-cosmetic-surgery-planning) - [](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/breast-surgery-family-history-breast-cancer) Treatment Guides[Family history of breast cancer: What to discuss before cosmetic breast surgery](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/breast-surgery-family-history-breast-cancer)9 November 2026[Read article ](https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/breast-surgery-family-history-breast-cancer) ## About this source Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons is a team of consultant plastic surgeons offering breast, body, facial and non-surgical treatments, with locations in Cheshire, Manchester and Barbados. All care is provided by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register, operating in CQC-registered facilities. Members of BAAPS and BAPRAS. - Website: https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org - Phone: 0808 129 2000 - Email: sian@aestheticplasticsurgeons.org Cite as: Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, "Eyelid Surgery and Dry Eyes | APS", https://www.aestheticplasticsurgeons.org/blog/eyelid-surgery-and-dry-eyes-questions-for-your-consultation (updated 2026-11-09). _This page is for general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice._