Chemosis or Ectropion After Blepharoplasty?

Ectropion occurs when the lower lid is pulled down, in this case by scar tissue from your surgery. You lower lid should contact the very bottom of your iris (the colored part) when you are looking straight ahead in the mirror. Unfortunately, your lid is a good bit lower. When the cornea is exposed, it gets irritated, which may manifest as chemosis, and a dry eye, with tearing and a feeling like there is something in your eye. Start with aggressive massage. Place your finger on your lower... more

I won't repeat all the great points below, but will move to the next stage, if conservative therapy (taping, sutures, drops and ointments) don't work. Think of the lower eyelid as a sandwich. The outer bread is the skin, the inner bread is the conjunctive (the pink inside the eyelid), and the filler is the muscle. The biggest no-no is cutting or injuring the muscle. The most common no-no is removing too much skin. The best way to determine which is your problem would be to have an... more

I see ectropion, not chemosis. I would add to the mix, taping with steristrips. You should keep the lower lids supported while they heal so that the tissues don't shrink and shorten permanently, During this time, you need to protect the eys and keep it moist. Genteal drops and ointment are great. Patching at night should be done also. sek

Scared, Your photo shows that you have an early post operative ectropion. At this early stage, the condition can be and usually is easily corrected. Correction involves taping the lid up, massaging the lids, and sometimes even a temporary stitch to bring the lids into closer approximation. Whichever method is chosen, you should have frequent contact and follow up with your surgeon to monitor the progress of the correction. Good luck!

Dear Scared You can be completely confident with the oculoplastic surgeons at the University of Miami. They are extremely experienced in dealing with these issues. Unless your original surgeon was an ophthalmologist or a fellowship trained eye plastic surgeon, you were not examined using a slit lamp microscope which is a very specialized piece of equipment that general plastic and facial plastic surgeons are not trained to used and don't possess in their offices. This instrument is... more

Chemosis is swelling and puffy fluid filled tissue on the white part of the eyes (sclera). Chemosis is a sign of irritation that is caused by drying of the eye that is due to the ectropion. Inadequate coverage of the eye by the drooping of the lower eyelid causes dryness and irritation of the eye which causes the chemosis. At three weeks, you need support of the lower eyelid. If taping with steri strips does not adequately support the lower eyelid, then I would place a stitch in the corner... more

Without personally examining you it is impossible to be sure, but based on your pictures it looks like you do have a developing ectropion. In this early period aggressive massage, blinking excercises, and management of any additional chemosis will help prevent any further progression. You may have to unfortunately have your procedure revised if this continues or does not resolve. I wish you the best of luck.

I agree with the above answers.  You appear to have ectropion.  I would tape and keep the lower lid supported.  Using Tobradex does help as well.

I'm sorry that you have some confusion about your diagnosis. To make it very simple: 1. You have lower lid malposition following cosmetic eye surgery. This is not an uncommon situation. Most cases could be treated conservatively without further surgery. Some cases will require revision eye surgery,canthal support or more. 2. As long your eye protective mechanism is intact, i would rather proceed with conservative management. Eye protective mechanism including bell's phenomen (eyes rolling... more

From the picture you have ectropin and pulling of your lower eyelid. When you can see the white part of thr eye between the eye lid and cornia , you have ectropin. Message will help and you need to protect your eyes at night from getting too dry. Eye patch and moisturizing drops will help. You will need to have canthoplasty. Make sure your surgeon has done this befor.