Blepharoplasty in Phoenix, AZ
Laser Precision from an Ophthalmologist and Cosmetic Surgeon
- Restoring Vision & Aesthetics Since 1989
- 15,000+ Eyelid Surgeries Performed
- Advanced CO₂ Laser Blepharoplasty
- Accredited Outpatient Surgical Center
Dr. Justo Is the Top Pick for Eyelid Surgery in Phoenix
An Eye Surgeon Who Specializes in Eyelids
Dr. Justo is both a board-certified ophthalmologist and a cosmetic surgeon, giving him an in-depth understanding of the delicate structures around the eye. That dual training means every blepharoplasty prioritizes appearance and visual function.
15,000+ Eyelid Surgeries and Counting
Since founding the practice in 1989, Dr. Justo has performed more than 15,000 eyelid surgeries for patients across the Phoenix area. He was also among the first surgeons in Arizona to use the Ultrapulse CO₂ laser for lower lid blepharoplasty.
An Accredited Surgical Center Built for Safety
All eyelid procedures take place in our Medicare-certified, Arizona state-accredited outpatient surgical center in Sun City West. The facility is thoughtfully built for comfort, precision, and efficiency under one roof, so you can know you’re in expert hands.
See the Difference
Real Results from Dr. Justo's Eyelid Surgery
This Phoenix patient had both upper and lower eyelid surgery using our CO₂ laser approach. Dr. Justo removed the puffiness below her eyes and tightened the drooping upper lids, restoring a more rested, natural appearance. Browse our patient gallery for more results.
Minimally Invasive Laser Eyelid Surgery
We are proud to be one of the first Arizona practices to offer eyelid surgery performed with a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser.
The laser makes the surgery quicker, safer, and often more effective than traditional blepharoplasty. We can also offer simultaneous laser skin resurfacing for the treatment of lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet around the eyes.
The Benefits of Laser Blepharoplasty
- No scalpels needed
- Greater precision
- Greater access to small and delicate areas around the eyes
- Reduced chance of post-operative swelling
- Quicker recovery than the traditional surgery
- Lower risk of infection
- Quicker and more effective surgery
Patricia's Story Gain More Independence With Eyelid Surgery
Patricia got the scare of her life. While driving roads she had commuted on for years, she realized she was crossing into other people's lanes.
Upper Eyelid Surgery Could Be a Lifesaver
Like many people, Patricia did not realize that upper eyelid surgery is often authorized by insurance. This is because it successfully repairs vision constraints caused by excess skin of the upper eyelid.
Dr. Justo and Several Patients Discuss Blepharoplasty
Get a feel for how we work and why patients love the work we do. Watch Dr. Justo and his team review the surgical process from the initial consultation and vision assessment to the post-op recovery. See actual patients describe what they felt before, during, and after their blepharoplasty in the Phoenix area.
Understanding Blepharoplasty How Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery Works
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the eyelids. The procedure can remove sagging upper eyelid skin and target excess fat that causes puffiness under the eyes.
Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both eyelids. Thanks to upper and lower eyelid surgery:
- You Can Boost Your Self-Confidence—Targeting signs of aging can have a dramatic effect on your appearance and self-image.
- You Can Improve Your Vision—When your upper eyelids droop, it can interfere with your peripheral vision. Dr. Justo can tighten muscles to address this issue.
- You Can Experience Facial Rejuvenation—Blepharoplasty has numerous anti-aging benefits. As a cosmetic surgeon as well as an ophthalmologist, Dr. Justo can combine your eyelid surgery with other procedures, such as a brow lift or laser skin resurfacing, for more dramatic results.
What Can Eyelid Surgery Correct? Upper and Lower Eyelid Problems a Blepharoplasty Can Treat
If your upper lids are droopy, a blepharoplasty can provide a more alert, energetic look.
A lower blepharoplasty can eliminate under-eye bags to refresh your appearance.
With an upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Justo can target the excess skin interfering with your peripheral vision.
This surgery can also improve the appearance of visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and lines around the eyes.
Advanced Techniques Tailored to the Patient
We offer several forms of laser and traditional eyelid surgery tailored to your needs and concerns.
One of the most common reasons patients seek an eyelid lift is due to sagging. This issue is sometimes caused by muscle weakness, a condition known as "true blepharoptosis." However, patients more often suffer from "pseudo-blepharoptosis" due to excess skin and fatty tissue.
Whatever the reason, we can perform advanced, minimally invasive blepharoplasty to improve your vision and appearance. We can tailor both upper and lower eyelid surgical procedures to meet your specific needs.
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
The cost of your blepharoplasty will depend on several factors, including the extent of the surgery required to achieve your goals, and whether we can have your upper eyelid surgery authorized by your insurance company.
To find out exactly what blepharoplasty will cost you, call us for a consultation today! We welcome patients from Sun City, Sun City West, Wickenburg, and throughout the state.
Will My Insurance Cover Eyelid Surgery?
Functional upper eyelid surgery is often covered by insurance. We will take extra steps to help you obtain the coverage you deserve.
Before beginning treatment, Dr. Justo will conduct a visual field test to determine if your drooping lids have significantly impaired your eyesight. If he establishes that blepharoptosis is affecting your vision and quality of life, he will submit your test results and photos to your insurance company to obtain treatment authorization.
Upper eyelid surgery is often authorized by insurance providers as medically necessary because droopy lids can impair your peripheral vision, lead to eye fatigue, and cause brow strain.
Financing Options for Eyelid Surgery
If your eyelid surgery is not covered by insurance or you do not have health insurance, we accept CareCredit® financing. The monthly payments can help make upper or lower eyelid surgery more affordable and less of a burden on your household budget.
During your consultation, we can review insurance coverage and financing options in greater detail. We will help you make the best choice for your cosmetic surgery goals and financial situation.
A Global Fee for Cosmetic Surgery Procedures No Hidden Costs or Additional Charges for Elective Eyelid Surgery
The Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center will quote you one global fee for any cosmetic procedure not covered by insurance. There will be no surprises or additional fees.
The global fee includes the professional surgery fee, the facility fee (operating room, nurses, surgical supplies, etc.), and the anesthesia fee. These charges are all bundled together for one clear, transparent price.
Is Eyelid Surgery Right for Me? Ideal Candidates for Blepharoplasty
As with any surgery, patients should be free of health concerns which could lead to complications.
Since nicotine can interfere with healing, we strongly recommend quitting at least several months before surgery.
While an eye lift can provide a significantly more youthful appearance, it cannot completely reverse aging.
Double Eyelid Surgery Creation of an Upper Eyelid Crease
Double eyelid surgery, sometimes referred to as Asian blepharoplasty, is a specialized technique that creates a crease in the upper eyelid. This procedure is a good option for people of any ethnic background who would like to have larger almond-shaped eyes.
Each procedure is highly personalized to create the most natural-looking results and a flattering shape in order to complement facial features.
Dr. Justo Provides an In-Depth
Overview of Eyelid Surgery Techniques
If you're curious about how eyelid surgery works, watch Dr. Justo provide a comprehensive overview of the different surgical techniques he uses. Whether you're getting cosmetic eyelid surgery or an upper eyelid blepharoplasty to restore your field of vision, you will be in good hands with our team.
The Blepharoplasty Procedure Different Methods of Performing Eyelid Surgery
When performing blepharoplasty, Dr. Justo can operate on the upper lid, the lower lid, or both the lower and upper lids as needed. Each type of surgery has different considerations and techniques that we can review as part of the consultation process.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Many adults notice that the skin above their eyes has slowly drifted down to cover part or most of the pupil. Common causes of this issue include the aging process, weakness of the elevating muscle of the upper eyelid, or, in some cases, familial or genetic predisposition.
If we determine that muscle weakness is causing your droopy eyelids, two separate surgeries can be utilized to correct this issue: a muellerectomy or a levator resection.
Muellerectomy
The majority of upper eyelid “muscle tightening” procedures involve a technique known as conjunctival-muellerectomy. This 15-minute outpatient procedure is performed under local anesthesia with minimal discomfort.
The muellerectomy involves a small incision hidden underneath the upper eyelid. This is followed by placement of an absorbable suture that dissolves in approximately 10 days.
This type of upper eyelid surgery offers a high degree of accuracy, reproducibility, and symmetry. It also involves minimal post-operative bruising and swelling, and avoids any noticeable scarring. However, it may not be sufficient for all patients, such as those with severe eyelid droop.
Levator Resection
If you show signs of marked muscle weakness with the eyelid clearly falling below the level of the pupil, or you require a secondary (repeat) muscle-tightening procedure, Dr. Justo will recommend a traditional levator aponeurosis advancement and tightening procedure.
This procedure is also performed using local anesthesia, although it is more time-intensive. It also requires a skin incision through the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Because of the incision's placement in the natural crease, scarring will be well hidden.
A levator resection can elevate the upper eyelid to a much higher degree than a muellerectomy procedure. This procedure also allows for the removal of excess skin and fat deposits from around the upper eye area.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Many patients come to us because of the impact lower eyelid bagginess is having on their daily life. Baggy lower eyelids can influence how you feel both physically and mentally, and how others see you.
Fortunately, lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a relatively simple outpatient procedure that can eliminate lower eyelid bags and improve the texture of your eyelid skin. The result is a smoother, more youthful appearance that will improve your comfort and quality of life. Our plastic surgeon offers two techniques for this procedure.
Trans-Conjunctival Surgery (Internal Incision)
Approximately 9 out of 10 lower eyelid blepharoplasties we perform use the trans-conjunctival (or internal) technique. It is an outpatient procedure that takes about 30 minutes to complete.
With the patient under a deep twilight anesthesia, Dr. Justo uses the Ultrapulse CO2 Laser to make a small cut on the inside of the lower eyelid through the conjunctiva, which is a mucous membrane tissue. Dr. Justo then removes the protruding fat pockets causing the external puffy appearance.
This internal incision does not require any sutures and heals very quickly in a matter of days. In general, this technique results in minimal bruising and swelling. In the vast majority of cases, Dr. Justo can use the laser to perform skin resurfacing around the eyes.
Sub-Ciliary Surgery (External Incision)
Though rarer, Dr. Justo can perform lower eyelid blepharoplasty with an external incision. Sub-ciliary surgery is for patients who cannot be treated effectively with the trans-conjunctival technique.
The incision is located beneath the lash line. The incision extends from the inner corner of the eyelid to a point just beyond the outer corner of the eyelid. Dr. Justo will remove a thin strip of skin from the lower eyelids while targeting fat deposits that cause puffiness around the eyes.
This external incision technique is very beneficial for those patients with a significant amount of baggy or loose skin in the lower eyelids. We should note that sub-ciliary surgery does take twice as long as trans-conjunctival surgery.
Some Patients Receive Both Upper & Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
While you may be troubled by only your upper or lower eyelids, it is not uncommon for both eyelids to be impacted by droopy skin or excess tissue.
During your consultation, Dr. Justo will examine both your upper and lower eyelids. If you are a candidate for blepharoplasty on both your upper and lower eyelids, Dr. Justo will review with you the option of having both eyelid lift procedures completed during a single surgery.
What Patients Can Expect During the Healing Process
Here's a brief look at what you can expect after blepharoplasty, including what touch-up cosmetic procedures can give you the finishing touches on your journey. You can also watch some patients from the Phoenix area discuss life after eyelid surgery once the swelling has gone down and they've fully healed.
The Typical Blepharoplasty Recovery Timeline
You can count on our team to guide you through the initial days, weeks, and months after your blepharoplasty.
