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Blepharoplasty Complications

I'm considering having blepharoplasty eyelid surgery next year. What kind of complications might I run into if I get this done? What is the best way to handle it if you do have eyelid surgery complications?

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29 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Possible blepharoplasty complications

Complications that can occur after blepharoplasty are very rare but can include the inability to close the upper lid if too much skin is taken, and dry eye. If patients currently have dry eyes, blepharoplasty surgery can make the eyes drier. Permanent blindness and double vision are exceedingly rare and do not happen in experienced hands. The best thing to do if you have eyelid surgery complications is to have confidence in your surgeon that he knows how to handle these types of issues.... more

Blepharoplasty complications are rare but can be serious

Complications from eyelid surgery are very rare but can be serious. A detailed conversation on these issues will be part of every eyelid consultation. If your surgeon does not answer your questions fully, be sure to ask. If the answers are still not helpful, you probably should interview other surgeons. Remember, no surgery is perfect and so even rare complications will occur from time to time. Fortunately, the management of complications is part of the training of every eyelid surgeon... more

Blepharoplasty Complications

The most important process of your prospective blepharoplasty is choosing your eye lid surgeon very carefully. Consult with and interview a few surgeons and then choose whom you feel most comfortable. Do not let the cost of the procedure be your determining factor in the choice of your eyelid surgeon as sometimes you may get "what you pay for". Complications with eyelid surgery may occur, but they are extremely rare in the hands of experienced and skilled surgeon. If you have... more

Michael A. Persky, MD

21 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drpersky.com

There are many options when considering blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is one of the safest, effective procedures in plastic surgery. However, over the past 10 years we have seen a variety of options appear. The reality is most patients looking to make the area around the eyes look better have a number of options, from traditional surgery, to less invasive surgery, to non surgery. There are lasers, fillers, and even Botox/Dysport as options to consider in many cases, depending on how severe the problem is and the ultimate goals... more

Complications from eyelid surgery most often involve the lower lids.

Malposition of the lower lid is probably the most common unwanted byproduct of blepharoplasty. It is more common in older patients who have poor lid support but can occur in anyone. It is treatable. It is uncommon. Other complications can occur but are rare. Eyelids are well innervated so post-op hypersensitivity is common although it would not be considered a complication, just an undesired side effect.

Complications with Blepharoplasty

Complications although rare can occur with blepahroplasty surgery. Upper eyelids can include not being able to close the eyes fully, uneven eyelid openings, hollow look from excessive fat excision, scarring and a few others even more serious. Lower eyelid surgery can result in retraction or pulling downward of the eyelid, tearing, scarring, rounding of the corners, change in the shape of the eyes and others as well. Both can result in dry eyes, and problems with vision. These are risks,... more

Blepharoplasty complications

The most common complications of blepharoplasty are bruising, asymmetry, unfavorable scarring, hematoma, chemosis (eye irritation) and probably one of the worst rare complicaitons is blindness. It is best to be treated by an expert whether a plastic surgeon, oculoplastic, or ENT.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Blepharoplasty Complications

There are complications with any procedure and some are specific to a person's medical conditions. With upper eyelid surgery, the main complication to be conerned with is taking off too much skin causing the eyelid not to close. This is easily avoided by marking the skin to be excised before surgery and checking the markings before any anesthesia is given. Other complications include dry eyes, scarring, pain, blindness, and webbing of the upper eyelid. Overall, upper eyelid surgery is very... more

D.J. Verret, MD

4 reviews

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

Blepharoplasty Complications

Generally, upper eyelid Blepharoplasty is a very high satisfaction, low complication type procedure. Lower lid Blepharoplasty has a greater complication rate, but should still be very low in experienced hands. However, given the question, I will give you the standard run down of complications I explain to may patients (informed consent). Realize that informed consent is a process which allows you to understand exactly what you are proceeding with, not to scare you, but to make sure you are... more

Blepharoplasty Complications

First, make sure you are going to a reputable Dr whom you have a full consultation with prior to making a decision. Discuss your desires and worries with him or her. Since everyone is different it is even hard for the best of the best to say for sure exactly what will happen, but some things they could occur are bruising, eye irritation scarring or an inability to close your eyes fully to name a few. However, these are not always the norm so you may not... more

Research and a Healthy Lifestyle Most Important For Any Plastic Surgery Preparation

It great to see you’re doing your research before a cosmetic procedure. Finding a board certified, experienced plastic surgeon is a major step toward minimizing your plastic surgery risks. As others have suggested, eyelid surgery is a fairly straightforward cosmetic procedure in which your plastic surgeon removes the excess eyelid skin and fat contributing to an aged eye appearance through small incisions hidden within the eye’s natural creases or from incisions made inside... more

Eyelid Surgery Risks

Eyelid surgery has evolved considerably over the years. Incisions are so small that they leave no trace of a scar. If excess upper eyelid skin hooding the eye needs to be eliminated, an incision is made about ten millimeters above the eyelashes in the palpebral fold, the crease at the top of the lid, and excess skin and fat are removed. The incisions are closed and sutured on the underside of the skin. Since the skin around the eyes is delicate, an eyelid lift carries a greater risk... more

Complications of blepharoplasty

For the most part, and with good technique, complications of blepharoplasty are very rare. The most common are bruising, swelling and temporary symptoms of dry eyes. Avoiding blood thinners and using ice are the best ways to avoid bruising and swelling. We recommend to our patients that they use ice packs 15 min of every hour while awake the first night and sleep with their head elevated. Using artificial tears for symptoms of dry eyes will help the symptoms of dry... more

Blepharoplasty Complications

Complications after eyelid surgery are rather uncommon, and somewhat rare with experienced doctors. If they do occur, blepharoplasty complications can be as minor as dry eyes or as severe as blindness (the rarity of these complications increases with severity). The most important decision will be the selection of your surgeon. As always, visit at least a few different doctors, review their patient testimonials and before/after images, and check to see if they are board-certified by the... more

Eyelid surgery complications

Although generally safe, eyelid surgery should not be taken lightly. There are potential complications that should be considered before undertaking eyelid surgery. The most common complication is asymmetry of appearance, especially in the upper eyelids. One cannot expect one side to look exactly like the mirror image of the other side. Even in the unoperated situation, many people's eyelids do not look exactly like the mirror image of the other side. However... more

Questions for your doctor

Eyelid surgery is generally very safe and effective. You should always as your doctor about the risks, benefits, alternatives, and likely outcomes of any procedure you are considering. Lid malposition, contour irregularities, and the short term chemosis (or a blister on the white part of the eye) can occur. Make sure your surgeon has experience in eyelid surgery and managing the potential complications of the surgery.

What to do if you get an eyelid complication

Plan ahead and choose a surgeon with a sterling reputation few if any complications. Preoperative research is the best way to prevent postoperative complications. Choose your surgeon carefully

Blepharoplasty is popular due to low complication rate

All surgeries have possible risk of infection, poor scar appearance, anesthetic reactions. Specific to Blepharoplasty are eyelid function problems from excess skin removal, (inability to close lids), occasional injury to the elevating/levator muscle of the upper lid, and, very,very rarely blindness of an eye. the popularity of these procedures attest to the high "benefit to risk " ratio. See a Board Certified Surgeon to optimize your chances of having an excellent outcome.... more

Eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty, scarring, complications

Eyelid surgery is one area of facial surgery where a conservative approach is imperative. Seeking a board certified plastic surgeon with a great deal of experience with eyelid surgery is also important. For upper lid surgery, inability to close the eye, dry eye syndrome, asymmetry and scarring can all occur, but are rare. Lower lid surgery has a higher rate of complications. These include lowe lid mal-position (generally sagging to low,) and aninability to close the eye. Chemosis, which... more

Blepharopalsty complications

Here are the more common and more remote complications and risks of a blepharoplasty in the upper and lower eyelid from more common to least common: 1. Assymetry: removing the skin or fat on both sides is an art not a science. Sometimes there can be residual assymetry that occurs. A little asymmetry actually can look a little more natural than if it is "perfect". This can be corrected witha touch up procedure if more skin or fat needs to be removed. 2. Irregular... more

Complications after Eyelid Surgery

Most patients do extremely well after eyelid surgery. Consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon who has trained for a number of years in eyelid surgery can help ensure you have a safe uncomplicated procedure. Some of the complications that can occur are prolonged eyelid swelling, abnormal scarring, and possible injury to the eye itself.

Blepharoplasty complications

A good eye examinatio is a must before considering a blepharoplasty. Some patients have a tendency to have dry eyes and this may be worse afte surgery. Also if there is poor lower eyelid tone then a patient will have a higher chance of a drooping eyelid surgery. If this is noted before surgery then an extra procedure can be performed to help prevent a droopy eyelid after surgery. There are risks with any procedure make sure you go to an experienced surgeon who can handle complications if... more

Blepharoplasty complications

Surgery on the upper eye lid is more forgiving than surgery on the lower eye lid. The main complication of surgery on the upper eyelid is the removal of too much or too little skin. If fat is removed then there is a risk of bleeding that causes pressure to eye and could cause blindness, this is extremely rare. Surgery on the lower eye lid can cause pulling downward of the eye lid and so you are unable to remove much skin and the eye lid needs support. There are acceptable procedures for... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD

4 reviews

Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Save this question for your consultation

Any surgery no matter how minor can have complications; why worry about what might happen even before you know if you are a candidate for surgery? Find out the advantages first and then what can happen. Let the doctor you are seeing tell you that.

Eyelid Surgery Consultation

Fortunately the complications related to blepharoplasty are rare. The best way to learn about this is to have a consultation with an experienced surgeon who specializes in eyelid surgery. At the consultation you will be able to get an answer that is customized to your situation and the treatment that you are considering. There are many specialties that perform eyelid surgery. If you decide that you would like to see an ophthalmologist who specializes in cosmetic eyelid surgery please check... more

Blepharoplasty risks

There is a learning curve we all go through in plastic surgery and any surgeon who has been out of training for 10+ years will tell you that their complication rates have decreased progressively over the years. So go to an experienced surgeon! Upper lid surgery carries only one main risk and that is the inability to close the eyes if too much skin is removed. Experience and good technique makes this very rare. Lower lid surgery is riskier and the main risk is pulling down of the lid... more

Potential Blepharoplasty complications are rare but scary

The odds of your having any of the following complications are very low, especially if you have your Blepharoplasty done by an experienced Plastic surgeon (www.PlasticSurgery.org). The rarest and most extreme complication is blindness (I have never seen it nor know of any of my friends and teachers who have seen it). Others may be dry eye, asymmetry, prolonged swelling of the conjunctiva (chemosis), detached lower lid (ectropion), retracted scar, inability to close the eye and infection. The... more

Eyelid Surgery Complications

Upper eyelid surgery is rather forgiving and complications are rare. Lower eyelid surgery is not very forgiving, and in the wrong hands it could be disastrous. So you need to be carful in whom you choose to perform you eyelid surgery. There are lots of other physicians out there performing eyelid surgery, because it can be done in the office without general anesthesia. So make sure you are having your surgery done by a board certified plastic surgeon. Complication for lower eyelid... more

Choose a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon

There are several competing specialties that offer cosmetic eyelid surgery. However, objectively, fellows of the American Society for Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) have the most in depth training in eyelid surgery and the management of complications. In fact, when a patient suffers a complication of eyelid surgery they are typically refered to the oculoplastic surgeon. In addition to fellowship training in eyelid plastic surgery, to be an elected fellow in ASOPRS,... more