Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: One Eye Wont Open? (photo) Doctor Answers, Tips
Eyelid Surgery: Q&A
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Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: One Eye Wont Open? (photo)

Five days after surgery, I have one eye that will not open more than half way. One eye feels great in recovery (with no loss of muscle control or feeling) while the other has felt completely numb and paralyzed. It closes fine but I have not been able to open the eye more than half way. I'm not seeing the "inability to fully open one eye" as a common problem after upper eyelid surgery. What causes this kind of complication? What are the chances it may not open again without corrective surgery?

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upper eyelids numb paralysis closed
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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by sandiegoliving in California
+1

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

The muscle responsible for opening the upper eyelid is called the levator palpebrae (usually called just the levator). It attaches to the upper eyelid immediately deep to the skin removed with an upper blepharoplasty. This could be a temporary result of the local anesthesia, swelling of the muscle, or accidental detachment of the muscle from the eyelid. The first two conditions should resolve on their own within a couple days or weeks. The third possibility would need... more
+1

Good news is you live in Southern California so you can get help.

Injuring the levator palpebra superioris muscle in blepharoplasty surgery is rare. Accidently sewing the movable levator to the orbital septum not so uncommon. When this is done the eyelid is no longer free to open all the way. The real test here would be if the right upper eyelid hangs up in down gaze compared to the left side. This can't be determined by the photos you provided. I recommend seeing an academic oculoplastic surgeon such as Don Kikkawa, M.D. or... more
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Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: One Eye Wont Open?

Best case scenario it is edema in the lid so further healing time will alleviate. Or you have lag opthalmus condition that self corrects in a few months, ask your surgeon. Or a worst case scenario is damage to the levitator superiors function, again discuss with your surgeon. Better yet obtain eye doctor evaluation.

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+1

Temporary functional eyelid problems are occasionally seen after blepharoplasty.

Inability to completely close the eyes or other functional eyelid disturbances are sometimes seen after blepharoplasty. These will resolve in time.
+1

Inability to Fully Open Upper Eyelid

You are still extremely swollen and bruised, and this may be placing enough physical constraint on the upper eyelid to prevent opening. Inability to fully open upper eyelid as a permanent result would be much less than 1%.
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Upper blepharoplasty recovery

At five days after your surgery, there is still a significant amount of swelling present. It does appear as if there may be more swelling on one side than the other, and this could cause you to not be able to open that eye fully. I would definitely give it some more time to heal and to allow the swelling to dissipate and then you will have a much better idea of how your eyes will look and function. Be sure to keep your follow up appointments with your surgeon so that your... more
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Comments (8)

ddufresne 14 Jan 2013
no i was just researching about surgeries because of what happened to my face and right now i am not thinking of future surgeries but it would be nice ot have it done some day.....also one of my eyelids is less "saggy" then the other because of a car accident years ago and i would be afraid the doctor wouldnt make the both sides the same......after what happened to me i do not trust anyone with a scapel :).....only if it was totally necessary like your situation.
sandiegoliving 11 Jan 2013
Day 8 and the bruising is gone but still no improvement in the right eyes mobility. I have seen an oculoplastic surgeon who believes the tendon has been damaged and it will require a correction if the eye is to open again. I guess what I've learned in this is how important it is to get a doctor who specializes in what you would like done. It's not about finding a "great plastic surgeon". It's about finding a plastic surgeon who is "great"at that particular procedure.
ddufresne 14 Jan 2013
hi sandie i read your post and saw your pictures....i hope it is just that simple problem that can be fixed. I am just wondering what excuse your surgeon gave you for what he did to you
ddufresne 14 Jan 2013
also when r u going to have it fixed???
sandiegoliving 14 Jan 2013
I had seen a specialist (because the doctors on this site recommended I do so) at day 5 before my follow up in order to get an unbiased opinion about the eye before meeting with my doctor. It's a good thing I did because Dr. Vincent was trying to pass it off as normal recovery and it is not. I see another specialist in San Diego tomorrow recommended by one of the doctors that posted here. I feel very good about the advise that has come from these doctors and this site. Had I not found it, I would be feeling very alone and uncertain about what to do and where to go next.
sandiegoliving 14 Jan 2013
I will post an update after my appointment tomorrow. I should also mention that Dr. Vincent is in SLC UT not San Diego. I had the procedure done there while visiting family but will likely have the corrective surgery done here by the doctor recommended in the doctors posts to this question. I've been very happy with their direction so far.
ddufresne 14 Jan 2013
is it still swollen or is the swelling gone and just your eye still cant open. Also, how did he do on the suturing part??
sandiegoliving 14 Jan 2013
The bulk of the swelling and bruising is gone. Ironically, the suturing on the damaged eye is remarkably good but the other eye is not good at all. Between the two eyes, i have gotten a good idea of how healing could have gone under better circumstances. I would like to post updated pictures but i don't think i can do it without creating a new post. Did you have the procedure done or are you thinking of doing it?

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