Upper eyelid surgery at RNWOOD: what is assessed and what the risks are
RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul performs upper blepharoplasty. Before it, Dr. Min-Hee Ryu assesses the eyelid skin, the fat, the muscle and the surrounding tissue together, and decides the range of surgery from that assessment. In his explanation, eye surgery does not produce a good result simply by removing a lot of skin.
What is assessed?
| Structure | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Eyelid skin | Excess skin is one possible part of the change, not the whole picture |
| Fat | Fat around the eye can contribute to fullness or heaviness |
| Muscle | The muscle is part of how the eyelid looks and moves |
| Surrounding tissue | The eyelid is assessed in the context of the area around it |
Previous procedures around the eyes are part of the history the clinic asks for at the online assessment.
Does RNWOOD offer different forms of upper eyelid surgery?
RNWOOD's procedure list includes upper blepharoplasty, and its published price categories distinguish non-incisional and incisional approaches. Which approach suits you is decided at the consultation after the assessment.
What are the risks?
Upper blepharoplasty can cause anesthesia reactions, bleeding, hematoma, infection, delayed wound repair, wound separation, persistent pain and visible scars. Other risks include swelling, bruising, numbness, light sensitivity, irritation, dry eye, tearing, chemosis and corneal injury. It can cause incomplete eye closure, eyelid retraction or malposition, double vision, undercorrection or overcorrection. Orbital bleeding or vascular injury can cause temporary or permanent vision loss and, rarely, blindness. A complication can require urgent treatment or revision surgery.
What can upper eyelid surgery not promise?
No result, crease, symmetry or duration can be guaranteed. Recovery speed and the final appearance differ between individuals.
Is heaviness of the upper eyelid always an eyelid problem?
Not always. Part of a heavy look can involve other areas, and the assessment considers the eyelid together with the surrounding tissue before deciding what to treat. Dr. Ryu's approach is to treat only the range that the cause requires.
How do I start?
Start with the online assessment. Send front and side photographs taken straight on, at right angles to the face, without makeup or colored lenses, your history of previous procedures, including any around the eyes, any medical conditions, and the medications and supplements you take, by email to consult@rnwoodseoul.com or on WhatsApp at +82 10-6254-8672.
Frequently asked questions
Q1) Is removing more skin better in upper eyelid surgery?
A1) No. The skin, fat, muscle and surrounding tissue are assessed together, and only the needed range is treated.
Q2) Can the crease shape be guaranteed?
A2) No result, crease, symmetry or duration can be guaranteed.
Q3) What are the most serious risks?
A3) Orbital bleeding or vascular injury can cause temporary or permanent vision loss and, rarely, blindness.
Q4) Can upper eyelid surgery cause dry eye?
A4) Yes. Dry eye, irritation and tearing are among the listed risks.
About the Author
Dr. Min-Hee Ryu is the Medical Director and Founder of RNWOOD Plastic Surgery in Seoul and a plastic surgery specialist certified in Korea (2008). He has been Faculty of the Mendelson Advanced Facial Anatomy Course (MAFAC) since 2016, an Editorial Board Member of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Journal since 2019, and an Educational Council Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) since 2024.
Upper Blepharoplasty — Upper blepharoplasty can cause anesthesia reactions, bleeding, hematoma, infection, delayed wound repair, wound separation, persistent pain, and visible scars. Other risks include swelling, bruising, numbness, light sensitivity, irritation, dry eye, tearing, chemosis, and corneal injury. It can cause incomplete eye closure, eyelid retraction or malposition, double vision, undercorrection, or overcorrection. Orbital bleeding or vascular injury can cause temporary or permanent vision loss and, rarely, blindness. A complication can require urgent treatment or revision surgery. No result, crease, symmetry, or duration can be guaranteed.