Blepharoplasty and LASIK can be done but not together

Jon Dishler, MD answers: Laser eye correction before or after Blepharoplasty?

When is it better to have eye laser correction before or after Blepharoplasty? I have a bags on a lower eyelid and thinking to have a plastic surgery. Also I need to do eye laser treatment. Which surgery should be first?


Jon Dishler, MD
3 months ago

With blepharoplasty and LASIK  both procedures can increase dry eye problems so the most important thing is to evaluate the eyes after the first procedure before proceeding with the second, and to wait a reasonable amount of time between them.  We see many patients for LASIK who have previously had blepharoplasty and as long as the eyes can close easily and the healing is complete, LASIK can be done without much problem.  We do hold the eyes open during LASIK and your doctor needs to be careful not to stretch the lids excessively if there has been a blepharoplasty done recently.

My preference would be to have the LASIK first and then look at blepharoplasty after at least 3 months, preferably 6 months once the healing is complete.  Be sure to have the eyes checked after the blepharoplasty to avoid any dryness issues, and tell your plastic surgeon about your LASIK (and his/her anesthesiologist) so that they are extra careful with your eyes to avoid any trauma to the cornea.

LASIK is not a cosmetic procedure, but many patients once they "loose" their glasses become more concerned about their facial appearance, and are interested in improving their appearance with lid or facial cosmetic surgery.

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