Eyelid Surgery Q&A
75%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers
that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not.
See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings
or Add Your Review

View Before and Afters
Average Eyelid Surgery Cost: $3,875
Learn about Eyelid Surgery
2,260 people and 796 doctors are talking about Eyelid Surgery
Get Free Email Updates
Is Blindness a Risk of Canthopexy?
asked 1 year ago by kee2
Latest answer by Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Question viewed 145 times
Tags: blindness, risk
is there a risk of getting permanently blind after a canthopexy surgery ?
8 answers to Is Blindness a Risk of Canthopexy?
+2
Blindness is a Very Rare Risk
The risk of blindness from a canthopexy or any surgical procedure on the eyelids is quite rare.
Every surgical procedure has risk or potential side effect.
As a patient you should be well informed about possible risks, even worst case scenarios.
+1
Canthoplasty is surgery of the eyelid and should not cause blindness
Canthoplasty is a surgical procedure used to tighten the lower eyelid. The eye should not be injured during a canthoplasty.
Blindness is a very rare complication of eyelid surgery. If it does occur it would most likely be caused by unexpected bleeding putting pressure on the eye. This complication if treated promptly can prevent eye injury and possible blindness.
+1
Is Blindness a Risk After Canthopexy?
Is blindness a risk after canthopexy? Yes, but so is tripping on the curb when you go for a walk. There is no surgical procedure without risk or potential consequence. At the same time, the risk of visual loss from a surgical procedure on the eyelids is exceedingly small. In the United States, we are required to inform patients about possible worst case scenarios as part of the informed consent process.
+1
Blindness after Canthoplasty
Though blindness is a risk of any surgery on the eye, with proper precautions, such as observation after surgery until all local anesthesia has worn off and restricting activities for 48 hours after surgery, it is extremely rare.
Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1
Canthopexy surgery is eyelid surgery to correct laxity of the lower lid
A canthopexy causing blindness must be one of the rarest events in surgery. I've never heard of it. Other blepharoplasty surgery (eyelid surgery) can rarely cause blindness due to an accidental injury to the eye itself or to bleeding that takes place behind the eyeball. A canthopexy does not involve the posterior eyeball space so bleeding in this area should not occur unless surgery is extended there for some other associated reason.
Harlow Hollis, MD
Victoria Plastic Surgeon
Victoria Plastic Surgeon
+1
Canthopexy can't cause blindness
Canthopexy is the placement of a suture along the outer eyelid that attaches along the lateral orbital rim to raise the lower eyelid position. This is an extremely non-invasive procedure and quoting blindness as a potential complication IMHO fits in the category of "anything can happen" not anything that's remotely likely.
+1
Canthoplasty is eyelid surgery.
All eyelid surgery is associated with a very small risk of bleeding behind the eye. This type of bleeding left untreated can lead to blindness. The precise risk of this is not clearly defined but has been estimated at about one case in 50,000 or more cases.
+1
Is Blindness a Risk of Canthopexy?
The risk of blindness is related to bleeding that extends into the posterior part of the eye and puts pressure on the optic nerve. This is a very rare event but it has been reported and can happen
Robert D. Goldstein, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon
Bronx Plastic Surgeon


