Late blurred vision will require further exam

Talmage J. Raine, MD answers: What causes blurry vision after blepharoplasty?

No complications occured during the procedure and I could see clearly for a week after the surgery. Now, three weeks after, my vision is extremely blurred. According to two physicians who examined me, there was no damage or infection present, only that my eyes are dry. I have been using the eyedrops and eyegel prescribed by the doctor, but my vision is still blurry. What could be causing it?


Talmage J. Raine, MD
8 months ago

Initially your vision was normal and then it blurred three weeks later.  Addressing the dry eye problem with saline and gel may be part of the issue.  I have used gel on patients in the past and it has caused blurring just from the gel.  Obviously you have to address the dry eye but you may want to discuss the treatment regimen with your surgeon and/or an opthalmologist.  I suspect this will help your blurring significantly.  All the best.

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A: Many possible causes

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
10 months ago

I agree with the excellent recommendations of my colleagues.

However, I do experience similar complaints in some of my patients at the 3 week period. Wound healing does result in some sensations of tightness which is due to scar tissue formation. Although you may not realize it you may not be completely closing your eyes at night resulting in drying of the cornea. Usually the gel prevents this. The most common sign of this is dryness and itching which is worst first thing in the morning.

Furthermore, if this is the cause this is likely to ease up over the next few weeks.

Overall, it is in your best interest to see an opthalmologist. If the symptoms are due to cornea dryness they can see this will special dyes and lights and confirm the diagnosis. 

Avoid the gel or lube during the day. It is specially formulated to last all night long but it can cause blurred vision. Saline drops are bothersome because they need to be instilled every 2 hours but they do not tend to blur vision.

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A: Drying of cornea.

Adam J. Cohen, MD
10 months ago

Dryness after upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be due to several causes.

Most commonly, dry eye is the result of the eyelids not fully closing allowing for exposure and drying of the outer surface of your eye (the cornea). This condition is usually treated with lubricating drops and gel. In some cases tear duct plugs are placed to slow down the drainage of tears from your eye. This allows your natural tears to moisturize your eyes.

Drying of your cornea can persist and distort your vision. Another explanation may be associated with a change in your contact lens or eyeglass prescription after surgery. Finally thick lubricating drops or gels can distort your vision.

I would strongly recommend a throrough evaluation by an ophthalmologist to be assured other issues are not present that can result in visual compromise.

 

 

 

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A: You need to see an Ophthalmologist.

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
12 months ago

Blurring of your vision immediately after eyelid surgery is normal. The combination of ointment after surgery and slight changes to the cornea from the numbing medication can have a blurring effect. I consult all my patients not to worry about their prescription in the first 2 weeks, as it will come back to normal. This is just a slight change in vision, not significant blurring.

After 3 weeks, you need to be evaluated by a ophthalmologist or specialist in corneal evaluation.
You may have an exposure issue causing drying or abrasion of the cornea. Just using drops may not be sufficient. Even if your surgeon was an Ophthalmic Surgeon, go see someone else. You need to also have them examine the back of your eye, the retina. If there was pressure on the Optic Nerve after surgery, this could alter your vision.

Many of these issues do resolve with time, but need to be treated appropriately.

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