Red, dry eyes after blepharoplasty and CO2 laser

I had a transconjunctival Blepharoplasty on lower lids combined with CO2 laser 15 days ago. Both lower eyelids appear to be standing away and downward from the eyeballs, and there is a dry, uncomfortable sensation. In addition, my eyes are consistently red. Is this an example of retraction, or is it too early to tell?

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8 answers to “Red, dry eyes after blepharoplasty...”

A: Eyelid retraction after blepharoplasty with CO2 resurfacing requires immediate action

By Brooke R. Seckel, MD - Boston Plastic Surgeon

What you are describing sounds like retraction of the lower eyelid after blepharoplasty and CO2 laser resurfacing. The eye must be kept moist and not allowed to become dry. Simple taping of the eyelid with steri strips may be sufficient to keep the eyelid tight against the eye until the swelling has subsided... more

A: Lower Bleph problems

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Thanks for your question - Your description could represent a significant problem. The issue is corneal exposure. If you can't protect your cornea you could have significant issues with corneal abrasion that could even affect your eyesight. The cause of this could be lower lid retraction or it... more

A: Dry eyes may be due to lower lid restriction

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It sounds like you may have lower lid restriction. When the eyes can't close well, they can get very dry. Also when a transconjunctival bleph is performed, it affects the lymphatic system, which may cause chemosis and this can lead to dry eye and redness. Use lots of lubricants, massage the lower lids, and... more

A: Lubrication and exersize

By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

Use Genteel eyedrops and lower lid exersizes to loosen up the scar tissue and edema. Before you perform any procedure on your lower eyes, consult with your doctor, but I routinely tell my patients to tightly squeeze their eyes shut and hold them in place for 5 seconds. The muscle movement will tighten the lids... more

A: Lubricate, lubricate, lubricate

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Suzy, You undoubtedly still have swelling from your procedures. You need to lubricate your eyes with an ophthalmic ointment at night and eye drops during the day. You should see your surgeon for further guidance. Good luck!

A: Need to protect the eyes during the early healing period

By Jeffrey Zwiren, MD - Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

From your description it sound like you have, at least, an early exposure problem. You should contact your surgeon about your symptoms and protect your eyes from over exposure. Eye lubricants like refresh plus or gentel can help alleviate the dryness until the early skin contracture and pulling... more

A: Corneal exposure

By Robin T.W. Yuan, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

The fact that you yourself have noticed that the lower eyelids are not in contact with the sclera and have fallen downward is significant. Lid retraction might be temporary but you can still damage the cornea if you have constant lagophthalmos, or inability to completely approximate the eyelids, especially at... more

A: Too Early to tell

By Marc Cohen, MD - Philadelphia Oculoplastic surgeon

The changes that you are seeing is most likely a result of the CO2 laser treatment to your skin. A transconjuctival blepharoplasty should not cause any change in your eyelid position. Most likely the skin around your eyes is still swollen and stiff and this will get better over... more

Comments

aliu
109 posts
23 Dec 2008

Combining a laser treatment after lower eyelid transconj bleph is very common as are the symptoms you are experiencing. That being said, you must aggressively lubricate your eyes to prevent them from sustaining any dry eye injuries to your cornea. The CO2 laser is very aggressive itself and sounds like you might have some retraction/ectropion. This needs time to get a little better but if it is not improving rapidly, you will need to address this sooner than later. If it is mild, simple massage and time (sometimes steroid creams) will usually suffice. If it is more than a little bit, then surgical intervention is warrented. A temporary tarrshoraphy is a smaller procedure that might be enough. Severe cases of ectropion might need either a lateral tarsal strip procedure...even up to an alloderm graft or mid-face/cheek lift to correct the lower eyelid position. Best of luck! Dr. Alex Liu www.awakenyoureyes.com Torrance, CA

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