Lower eyelid drooping after Blepharoplasty

I had upper and lower eyelid surgery. My lower lid on one eye is drooping. The doctor tightened it, but it's still away from the eye and causing extreme dryness. My vision is also horrible. Should I go back for corrective surgery? I am afraid he will not fix it but make it worse.

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10 answers to “Lower eyelid drooping after...”

A: Drooping eyelid after blepharoplasty requires an expert eyelid plastic surgeon

By Brooke R. Seckel, MD - Boston Plastic Surgeon

The drooping of the lower eyelid after blepharoplasty is called an ectropion. The fact that your eyelid is still drooping after one attempt at revision is a serious concern. The eyelid position must be corrected to protect the eye. This may require a complex reconstructive lower eyelid procedure. Such a... more

A: Find someone who is well-versed in facial or oculoplastic surgery

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

It sounds like the skin was probably tightened too much on the lower lid and you are having dryness, scleral show and/or ectropion. A canthopexy or canthoplasty would be the best option for a patient in this case. Someone who is very well-versed in facial or oculoplastic surgery would be the one to perform... more

A: Most likely another corrective procedure will be needed.

By Talmage J. Raine, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It sounds like you have an ectropion. It may resolve with time and massage but most likely will require another procedure to tighten the lower lid and relieve tension on the lid. You may want another opinion or even two to get a better perspective of your options. All the best.

A: Massage, taping and then repeat eyelid surgery if needed

By Farbod Esmailian, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

I am not sure how far out from surgery you are, but the non surgical methods are to massage the lower eyelid in an upward direction and tape up the lower eyelid. This usually works in the early postoperative cases. Keeping the eye moist during the day with drops and placing ointment in the eye at... more

A: Revision lower eyelid surgery

By Brent Moelleken, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Revision lower eyelid surgery is complex. It involves midface techniques (i.e. cheeklift), possibly grafts into the lower eyes, and complex canthal surgery. The skillset and paradigm required for the revision surgery of the lower eyelid is entirely different than for the primary surgery. Surgeons... more

A: Eye drynesss after blepharoplasty

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It is somewhat common for some patients to have issues with their eyes after blepharoplasty. The eyelid may be pulling away from the eye becasue of swelling of the conjunctiva or tightness in the lower eye lid skin. Keep working with your doctor, and keep the eyes moist at all times. You may also... more

A: Work with your Doctor if you can

By Lane Smith, MD - Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

This is not an uncommon problem and there are many ways to fix this problem. To answer if you must go back to the surgeon, that depends on many factors: your relationship with him or her; his or her skill level; and the degree of the problem, etc. Generally, it is best to return to the original surgeon and... more

A: TLI. too little information

By Kenneth R. Francis, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ibohgirl, It would be nice to know your age, how long ago your surgery was and what the tightening procedure was. Without this information we can only speculate on your condition and its treatment. The findings that you describe may be caused simply by the expected post surgical swelling and may be amenable to... more

A: Eye protection measures are important to initiate.

By Hisham Seify, MD, PhD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Exposure of the cornea following cosmetic blepharoplasty is not uncommon. Several factors can contribute to this post operative finding including the position of the lower eye lid before surgery , protusion of the globe ect... Minor cases are usually corrected by lower eye lid massage and lubricating the eye... more

A: How long ago was the surgery?

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

In order for the lower lid to assume its final shape, all the swelling has to be gone and the scar tissue has to be soft. You may be experiencing normal sagging of the lower eyelid.

Comments

aliu
109 posts
5 Jan 2009

I'm sorry to hear that you are having difficulty with your lower eyelid after the surgery. Unfortunately ectropion (pulling away and down of your eyelid) is the most common complication after lower eyelid surgery. It also sounds like your doctor tried to repair with a lateral canthoplasty procedure (used to tighten back up the eyelid). However, if even that isn't working and your eye itself is starting to be affected I would recommend seeking a surgeon (Oculoplastic, Facial Plastic, Plastic Surgeon) who has extensive experience in the lower eyelid/midface junction. It may be secondary to excessive scarring/lack of sufficient anterior lamella (lower eyelid skin) that is causing your problems. If so, it will likely need revisional surgery unless it is quite mild and will slowly improve. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

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