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Eyelid plastic surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is typically a very safe and rewarding procedure that will leave you looking and feeling great. It is of the utmost importance that you choose a surgeon who specializes in cosmetic eyelid surgery to ensure that you receive the best treatment possible. However, there is always a small chance that something could go wrong with any surgery, and you should know what to do if you experience complications.
This is a rare problem, but very serious if you really have it. Temporary swelling is a normal response to surgery, and this may mean that it takes extra effort to close your eyes and that your eyes are drier than usual. If you have dry eye after eyelid surgery, be sure to use eye drops as directed by your doctor to improve eye irritation. Since the swelling is temporary, such a problem should resolve itself soon and your eyelid will quickly return to normal functionality.
After about six weeks, post-surgery swelling should have subsided and dry eye symptoms should subside. However, sometimes overly aggressive surgery can cause long-term damage that can even worsen existing dry eye symptoms. This can happen when too much skin or muscle is removed from the upper eyelid, which means your eyes may not close completely at night when you’re relaxed and not thinking about them. Fortunately, this is a concern that can be addressed as long as you are sure to see a doctor about this issue. If you are unable to close your eyelids completely, whether awake or asleep, then it is recommended that you be evaluated by an ophthalmologist or a trained eyelid plastic surgeon, who is a board-certified ophthalmologist specially trained in eyelid plastic surgery.
What type of treatment do I need?
This depends on the exact nature of your problem and unique individual circumstances. The surgery may damage the same nerves that supply the muscle you use to close your eye, thereby weakening your blink reflex. This can occur when skin and muscle are removed at the time of eyelid surgery. The result is that you may not be blinking fast enough or hard enough to fully close your eye. This means your eyelids won’t be able to properly move tears around the surface of your eyes to keep them moist.
The first method of treatment here is to increase the frequency of eye drops and perhaps use an ophthalmic ointment as prescribed by your doctor. Your surgeon may recommend the temporary use of a plug to close the tear drains to help keep the eyes moist. When these measures are not adequate to restore eye comfort, it is time to consider reconstructive eyelid surgery. Your original surgeon will likely be eager to address your concerns. When possible, we recommend that you seek the help of your original surgeon. However, if you no longer feel comfortable with your plastic eye surgeon or are concerned that your need exceeds your skill set, it’s a good idea to seek multiple opinions.
This is especially important when your surgeon is not an eye plastic surgeon but is trained in some other surgical specialty. The first task of the second opinion consultation is to determine the basis of the problem and whether all appropriate medical measures have been taken to improve eye comfort. You may have a variety of options depending on the severity of your problem. In some cases, you may need an eyelid reconstruction to help you repair your eyelid surgery. The goal of any solution is to bring the eyelids together easily and to allow sufficient closure force to help spread tears over the corneal surface.
You need an experienced Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon
Your surgeon should always work carefully and operate conservatively to minimize the risks of surgical complications and ensure natural results. It’s true that prevention is the best treatment, but if you’re already suffering from the effects of an overly aggressive previous eyelid surgery, then you need a solution to reverse the damage you’ve already incurred. Now is the time to find a doctor with a specialty, background, training, and experience in eyelid surgery repair.
If your relationship with your surgeon has deteriorated for any reason or you are concerned about your doctor’s abilities in this particular area of expertise, we urge you to exercise your best judgment and seek a second or third opinion. This is a good idea even if you have been told in the past that nothing is wrong or that nothing can be done. There are times when it makes sense to move on to a doctor who devotes a significant portion of his practice to reconstructive eyelid surgery to correct previous treatment.