Eyelid Surgery in Nicosia, with Dr Andreas Ioannides

The area around the eyes is often the first to show age. Skin thins, the upper lids grow heavy, and small pockets of fat settle into what most people simply call under-eye bags. Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic procedures for exactly this reason, since the eyes carry so much of how rested, or how tired, a face appears.

Dr Andreas Ioannides treats each case on its own terms. Two patients with similar concerns can need quite different plans, because lid shape, skin quality and the position of the underlying fat vary from person to person. The aim throughout is a refreshed, open look that still reads as your own.

Why do patients travel to Dr Ioannides

Patients come to this Nicosia practice from across Cyprus, frequently after weighing their options for some time. A few priorities surface again and again during consultations.

• A natural, rested result: The goal is never a hollowed or surprised appearance, only eyes that look less tired. Subtlety is the whole point here.
• Function as well as appearance: Heavy upper lids can crowd the field of vision. Correcting that improves comfort, not just looks.
• Honest, careful assessment: You receive clear guidance on what suits your anatomy, including when a smaller procedure, or none at all, is the wiser path.
• Continuity of care: Follow-up matters as much as the operation, and the team stays reachable while you heal.

That last element is easy to overlook, yet it shapes how smoothly recovery goes.

The types of blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery is not a single operation. The right approach depends on whether the concern sits above the eye, below it, or both.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty

The most frequently requested version. Through a fine incision hidden in the natural lid crease, the surgeon removes excess skin and, where needed, a small amount of fat. The scar settles into the fold and becomes very hard to detect. Many patients have this done under local anaesthetic, with same-day discharge.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty

For under-eye bags and lower-lid laxity. Depending on the case, the incision sits just below the lash line or on the inner surface of the lid, the transconjunctival route, which leaves no external mark. Rather than simply removing tissue, Dr Ioannides often favours fat repositioning, redistributing the eyelid fat to smooth the lid-cheek junction instead of hollowing it.

Combined upper and lower

When both lids show their age, the two can be addressed in one sitting. This shortens the overall recovery and keeps the result balanced across the whole eye.

A quick note on terminology. Classic blepharoplasty refers to the standard surgical technique described above. Non-surgical options exist, but their effect is milder and shorter-lived, so they suit only early, minor changes.

Dual Plane Blepharoplasty

Dr Ioannides' signature approach for patients who want more than a standard eyelid correction. The dual-plane technique works on two levels at once, refreshing the lid itself while supporting the surrounding tissue, allowing it to soften even the finest lower-lid wrinkles with minimal disturbance to the area. The payoff is a result that looks natural and tends to last, typically for 10 to 15 years.

There is an added benefit, too: by repositioning the deeper tissues, the method gently lifts the middle third of the face, eases nasolabial lines, and can raise the brow slightly without any extra incision. Where appropriate, a midface suspension can be added at the same time, lifting and securing the cheek tissues to smooth the lid-to-cheek transition and give a more complete, longer-lasting result. The operation takes around two hours under local anaesthetic, sedation or general anaesthesia, with same-day discharge and a recovery of roughly two weeks. 

Combined Procedures

Scarless Lifting by Ioannides

A proprietary approach that repositions the facial tissues without leaving visible scars. It suits patients who want a meaningful lift while keeping any trace of surgery hidden, and it remains one of the practice's most requested options.

SmartLift by Dr. Andreas Ioannides

SmartLift by Dr Andreas Ioannides is a pioneering approach to the deep plane facelift, designed to rejuvenate the midface, the oval of the face and the neck, delivering natural results and a rapid recovery without the long incisions of conventional methods. What makes it truly "smart" is the combination of advanced technologies (radiofrequency, Argon plasma and nano fat grafting for tightening and restoring lost volume) with a highly refined anatomical design.

The technique's defining difference is that it is not limited to the classic lateral or transverse pull of most conventional facelifts, but instead incorporates a vertical axis of suspension (vertical suspension). This innovation directly addresses the vertical descent and the "emptying" of the central face, repositioning the cheek and midface tissues with precision for a completely natural, youthful facial architecture. The SmartLift, then, is not simply a lift with a smaller incision, but a complete, smart and anatomically designed approach to facial rejuvenation.

T.T.A. Lift, Mini Deep Plane Lift

A targeted, minimally invasive version of the deep plane facelift. The deeper tissue layer is released and elevated through limited incisions, preserving natural movement while shortening recovery compared with a full deep-plane procedure.

The Comfort of Local Anaesthesia and Sedation

In our practice, many of our procedures are performed under local anaesthesia or a combination of local anaesthesia and deep sedation (twilight anaesthesia), aiming to minimise the impact on your body. This approach ensures a completely painless and calm experience during surgery, while eliminating the heavy sensation and nausea often associated with general anaesthesia. As a result, recovery begins immediately, allowing you to return home safely on the very same day, with the final choice of method always tailored individually during your consultation visit.

Concerns we treat

A consultation usually covers more than one thing at once. The table below outlines what Dr Ioannides commonly manages.

Who makes a good candidate?

Eyelid surgery suits adults in good general health who are bothered by the appearance or function of their lids. Beyond that, a few honest checkpoints help.

• A specific concern: Heavy upper lids or persistent under-eye bags are easier to plan for than a vague wish to look younger.
• Healthy eyes: Conditions such as glaucoma, severe dry eye or previous retinal problems need review first, ideally with your ophthalmologist.
• Stable health and habits: Non-smokers heal more reliably, so smoking is best paused well before and after.
• Realistic expectations: This procedure refreshes the eyes. It does not erase every line or change the eye shape, and good surgery respects those limits.

Where someone is not a suitable candidate, Dr Ioannides will say so plainly. That candour protects both the patient and the outcome.

The procedure, step by step

• Consultation and measurement: Your concern is discussed in detail, the lids are measured, and skin quality and fat position are assessed. Preoperative photographs and an honest conversation about options follow.
• Anaesthetic plan: Upper-lid work is often done under local anaesthetic, while combined or lower-lid cases may use local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthesia. The choice is made together.
• The operation: Through hidden incisions, excess skin is trimmed and fat is either removed or repositioned. The surgery itself typically takes around one hour, a little longer if both lids are treated.
• Same-day recovery: Most patients go home the same day with fine sutures and cold compresses. Sutures usually come out within five to seven days.
• Settling in: Swelling and bruising fade over one to two weeks, and the scars continue to mature quietly over the following months.

Recovery at a glance

Pricing, combinations and where you are seen

The cost of eyelid surgery depends on the case: an upper-lid procedure, a lower-lid one, and a combined operation are different jobs, with different operating times. Rather than quote a figure that may not apply, the practice gives a clear written estimate after the consultation.

Blepharoplasty also pairs well with other facial work. It is frequently combined with a brow lift, a facelift, or fat transfer for the midface, which lets one recovery cover several goals. As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr Ioannides plans these combinations so the whole face stays in balance, not just one feature.

Feedback from those who have trusted us consistently centers on the same themes: a calm, reassuring experience, a result that preserves their individual identity, and a team that responds promptly to messages throughout recovery. Word of mouth, particularly in Nicosia, brings a steady stream of friends and relatives of former patients through our doors. Equally important is the significant number of patients referred to us by other doctors and colleagues who trust our clinical expertise, a distinction that, alongside our patients' appreciation, stands as the truest endorsement of our work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the scars from blepharoplasty be visible?

In most cases, no. Upper-lid incisions are placed within the natural crease, so they disappear once the eye is open. Lower-lid work is often done through the inside of the lid, leaving no external mark at all, or just beneath the lash line. Scars look pink for a few weeks, then fade steadily and become very difficult to see by around six months. Careful incision placement and gentle technique are what keep them discreet, so choosing an experienced surgeon matters.

How soon can I return to work and normal life?

Most people feel presentable within one to two weeks, once the swelling and bruising have settled. Desk-based work is often manageable after about a week, especially if a little concealer is acceptable. Strenuous exercise is best delayed for two to three weeks. Vision can be slightly blurry early on from ointment and swelling, which passes quickly. Each patient heals differently, so some return sooner and others prefer a little more time before being out and about.

Does eyelid surgery affect my vision?

For most patients it improves it, rather than the reverse. Heavy upper lids can hood the eye and narrow the upper field of vision, and removing that excess skin opens things up. Temporary effects such as light sensitivity, watering or mild dryness are common in the first days and settle on their own. Anyone with a pre-existing eye condition, like glaucoma or significant dry eye, should mention it early, since the plan may need adjusting and an ophthalmology review beforehand.

Can blepharoplasty be combined with other procedures?

Yes, and it often is. Because the eyes sit within the wider face, eyelid surgery pairs naturally with a brow lift, a facelift, or fat transfer to refresh the midface. Combining them means a single anaesthetic and one recovery rather than several. The key is balance: each step should suit your features without overcorrecting any one area. Dr Ioannides assesses the whole face during the consultation and recommends only the combinations that genuinely serve your result.

Ready to Refresh Tired Eyes?

Book a private consultation with Dr Andreas Ioannides

Your eyes deserve a plan shaped around them, not a template. Contact the team to arrange a private consultation in Nicosia, talk through your concerns, and get an honest read on what is realistic for you. While you are here, take a moment to look through Dr Ioannides' wider range of facial procedures, so you can choose with the full picture in mind.