Will Eyelid Retraction Relax Post Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by 839449anon in Arlignton, VA
Latest answer by Rian Maercks, MD
Question viewed 565 times
Tags: asymmetry, 2 months post-op, high, lower, mullerectomy, scar, tightness

I had a levator recession done on upper eyelid. It was 4mm asymmetry from other eye with about 1-2 mm scleral show. It was my second surgery, after a mullerectomy where eye became immobilized. So I am extremely happy with the functional results.

Issue is eyelid is about 1 to 1.5 mm higher than other. It fluctuates, but thats the range. I'm 2 months post surgery, and feeling the tightness of scarring occurring. Question is, is there a chance it can relax and lower a bit? Is that possible/likely?

9 answers to Will Eyelid Retraction Relax Post Surgery?

Asymmetry After Ptosis Surgery

At 2 months since surgery, seeing a small degree of fluctuation in the eyelid position is not unusual. With a 1mm- to 1.5mm difference between the left and right eyelids, you are probably best advised to allow more time before deciding on further surgery, as that difference is within the range most surgeons would accept for a final result. Discuss with your surgeon; some may advise massage to reduce the retraction.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Lid retraction surgery at two months

Lagophthalmus or eyelid retraction is most commonly caused by thyroid problems including Graves Disease or due to traumatic scarring. Partial Mullers muscle resection is commonly performed to relax a scarred and spasmed Mueller's Muscle as seen with Graves. Further lid positioning can then be performed with a levator lengthening procedure, which seems to be your circumstance. Maximum scar retraction occurs at about 6 weeks post-op and can continue if unabated for many more weeks.... more

Paul S. Howard, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid Asymmetry after Upper Eyelid Ptosis Repair

Hi 839449anon, Facial or eyelid asymmetry is common in nature and a potential outcome with any plastic surgery. 1mm difference is "within normal limits" for many eyelid surgeons, as it's impossible to gaurantee perfect symmetry. Two months may still be relatively early after your revision procedure. Speak with your eyelid surgeon to help determinen appropriate options for you. Best of luck. Dr. Chaboki

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.potomacplasticsurgery.com

Correction of eyelid retraction

I'm assuming that your eyelid retraction is thought to be due to the most common cause of eyelid retraction, Grave's ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease. This can be a difficult problem but with persistence (and sometimes multiple surgical procedures) the lids can usually be adjusted to near perfect symmetry. First of all, surgical intervention should not be attempted until the eyelid levels are stable from visit to visit. There are a variety of procedures that... more

Richard Weiss, MD
Newport Beach Oculoplastic Surgeon

Retraction after eyelid surgery

It is unlikely that both of your eyelids will ever be perfectly symmetric as even without surgery, most eyelids have 1-2 mm of asymmetry. It sounds like you have a good result but your surgeon may be able to better evaluate if steroid injections or massage can help relax your eyelid.

Kristin Egan, MD
Manhattan Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid retraction

It is more likely that it will retract more rather than relax. That is the usual nature of healing/scarring with contracture from any surgery. Recommend seeing your surgeon and/or an oculoplastic surgeon. Dr Taban

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Eyelid retraction surgery

Eyelid retraction surgery can be quite unpredictable, much more so than ptosis surgery [ the opposite situation which you are correcting a droopy eyelid]. In the early post operative period, sometimes active stretching of the eyelid maybe helpful, but at this point, I tend to agree with Dr. McCracken, that you may be at your final state. Your result seems to be reasonable, and sometimes "better" is the enemy of "good".

A.J. Amadi, MD
Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon

Retraction of eyelid after ptosis repair

Usually adjustment can indeed be made in this time frame with simple massage that MUST be guided and monitored by the surgeon who performed the procedure. With the minimal difference your surgeon should be able to guide you with single finger traction excercise that will help adjust the repair without damaging it. Consult with your original surgeon. All the best, Rian A. Maercks M.D.

Rian Maercks, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.rianmaercksmd.com

Eyelid Retraction

I think it is unlikely that you will see much change in your eyelid position given that you are 2 months out from surgery. My goal in eyelid surgery is to have the eyelids within 1 mm of each other, so if you range from 1 - 1.5 mm of asymmetry, this is quite small and may not warrant further surgery. I recommend that you discuss your concerns with your surgeon.