Blurred Vision Post-op Eyelid Surgery

Generally, eyelid surgery causes eyelid swelling and some dysfunction for a period of time after surgery even when there are no post-surgical complications.  An appropriate presurgical work up prior to any eyelid surgery should included an assessment of the eyes for relative dryness.  Not all eyelid surgeons possess the necessary training, skills of equipment for this assessment.  Under these circumstances, the preoperative assessment should be done by your general ophthalmologist.  This assessment simply helps us know if you are likely to have more or less issues with dry eye after surgery.  Occasionally patients are encountered who have such a significant dry eye issue that eyelid surgery is no recommended.  

Eyelid swelling, aggressive eyelid tightening procedures can affect the corneal shape.  Generally with time these issue abate.  

At this point, an evaluation by your general ophthalmologist is recommended to assess your visual status, refractive state, and corneal status.

Corneal abrasions are not a common complication with eyelid surgery. They usually heal fast without sequelae. If you have vision changes after 6 weeks you should consult an opthalmologist.   

It is common for vision to be a bit blurry for the first couple weeks after eyelid surgery.  Often this is simply the effect of the ointment in the early post-op period. Other times, the problem is from underlying dry eyes that are more apparent after surgery.

It is not very common for  a patient to have significant blurring of vision or double vision at 6 weeks after eyelid surgery.  In fact, true double vision after eyelid surgery should be very rare.

It would be a good idea for you to see your ophthalmologist so that the surface of your eye and other possible reasons for your blurred vision can be evaluated.  This examination would likely include putting something called fluorescein on the surface of your eye so that subtle changes of the cornea can be detected at a table-top microscope called a slit lamp.  Most oculoplastic surgeons will carefully examine the surface of a patient's eye  with such a device prior to any eyelid surgery.

Mark Lucarelli, MD, FACS