I Have Dry Eye After Lower Blepharoplasty, is Laser Resurfacing for Wrinkles Too Risky?

There seems to be a lot more lasers nowadays with technology constantly improving. Does anyone know of any laser which is suitable for treating wrinkles for patients who suffer from dry eyes? I would be extremely grateful to find out.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Peter Hewitt 1 in uk

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Dry eyes and laser resurfacing

If your dry eyes after blepharoplasty are caused by the eyelid not hugging the eye and allowing tears to not bathe the surface of the eye's cornea, then any treatment to the skin of the eyelid, laser or chemical peel, to improve the wrinkles could worsen this problem. Sometimes oculoplastic or plastic surgeons will do a tightening procedure, such as a canthopexy, to lift and anchor the lower eyelid up against the eye. Then after this heals and proves to be successful, laser... more

Dry eyes after lower blepharoplasty and considering lower eyelid laser resurfacing

It might be well worth your time to have your lower eyelids and ocular surfaces evaluated by an oculoplastic surgeon prior to undergoing any additional eyelid treatments. Alternatively, almost all ophthalmologist are well versed in evaluating and treating patients with dry eyes. Once a patient's dry eyes are optimized, consideration can be given for laser resurfacing of the lower eyelids. In patients who have significant dry eye symptoms, I would favor a... more

Laser resurfacing with dry eyes...

A full examination by a highly specialized surgeon who performs these procedures all the time is first and most important step. The CO2 laser can be performed to improve the skin under the eyes without worsening the dryness but it has to be done carefully. The exam may reveal that the eyelid needs to be tightened or lifted to improve dryness, and this could be done in combination with some laser.

Laser Treatment Under Eyes Requires Caution

If you have dry eye after a lower eyelid procedure, you should have that evaluated by an oculplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon, or plastic surgeon that specializes in this. Drooping of the lower lid is called "ectropion" and this is often treatable to improve your dry eye condition You should only consider laser under the eyes after your dry eye condition is optimized or improved. Laser treatment can cause the lower eyelids to draw down even further as the... more

Dry eye after blepharoplasty

Lower lid blepharoplasty if done properly including canthoplasty (tightening the lid) may actually improve pre existing dry eyes. However, in a few cases the surgery itself can interfere with tear flow and actually cause dry eyes when one did not exist before. Unfortunately this is not alwasy predictable. Once you have developed dry eyes doing laser resurfacing poses a new risk: if not done very carefully it could tighten the lower lid skin to the point to cause a downword shift of the lid... more

Andrew Pichler, MD

1 review

Sacramento Facial Plastic Surgeon

facedr.com

Laser resurfacing with dry eye

I have performed Co2 fractional laser resurfacing on several patients who started with complaint of dry eyes and have also had tear duct plugs placed for treatment of dry eye. It is hard to tell with out a photograph what procedure would be best for your situation. You mention the dry eye occured post blepharoplasty and without a photograph it is difficult to determine if this is from lack of your eyes having full closure,or if too much skin was removed and you have scleral show, or if... more

Michael Elam, MD

83 reviews

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

michaelelammd.com

Alternatives

Ablative lasers may make the eyes more dry, and it may not improve the wrinkles if you have excess skin. In fact, a lower lid blepharoplasty may, on occasion, improve the dryness and wrinkles, if it is accompanied by a canthopexy (an internal stitch that brings the lower lid closer to the eye, allowing the tear duct to work more effectively). A lower lid blepharoplasty may be better for you than laser resurfacing of the lower lid.