Eyelid Surgery: Q&A

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I Have Sight in Only One Eye. Is There an Eye Lift Procedure That Doesn't Pose Risks to my Vision?

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eyesight recommendation risk

14 Doctor Answers | Asked by clgordon28

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Eyelid Lift Risks

There is no eyelid lift that does not pose some risk of blindness. However, this risk is extremely low when the procedure is done by someone very familiar with the surgery and prevention of problems. We now know a lot about the cause of postoperative blindness and that allows us to generally prevent this catastrophic problem. I have operated on several one eye sighted individuals with absolutely no problem. Make sure whomever you choose for the surgery is very experienced. more

Risks of eyelid surgery

Although eyelid surgery carries a low possibility of serious complications including blindness, the risk is not zero. If you consult with a plastic surgeon make sure that he or she thoroughly explores your underlying health. Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes increase the risk of complications after eyelid surgery and it might be best for your to hold off on this surgery if you are not in excellent health. After all, a single eye is carrying all the... more

Blepharoplasty Blindness

Blindness following blepharoplasty is extremely rare........but do you really want to take the chance? Bleeding from behind the "orbital septum" is the risk you must consider before you proceed with your bilateral cosmetic blepharoplasty! A retro-orbital hematoma in your unimpaired eye would be catastrophic! Think long & hard.

Risks of eyelid surgery

Every surgery has risks including eyelid surgery. These risks are low. It's important to go to a surgeon that has good training in this area and is someone that you feel comfortable with. Good luck!

No eye surgery is completely without risks.

While there is always some potential risk to a patients vision with any eye surgery, it is very small when operating on the upper lids and should be minimal when operating on the lower lids, in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon. Talk in depth with your plastic surgeon about your concerns so the safest surgery or alternative procedure can be done.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

18 reviews

Boston Plastic Surgeon

Risk incredibly low

As long as there is no attempt to remove fat from the eyelids, the risk of vision loss from eyelid surgery is exceedingly small.

A.J. Amadi, MD

14 reviews

Seattle Oculoplastic Surgeon

seattleface.com

I Have Sight in Only One Eye. Is There an Eye Lift Procedure That Doesn't Pose Risks to my Vision?

While rare, eyelid surgery has been reported to cause blindness from bleeding that stretches the optic nerve. Any form of Eyelid Surgery carries the risk of this rare event and in patients with sight in one eye, you must IMHO weigh the very rare risk against the wish to rejuvenate the eyes. Aesthetically, I would attempt to find another area of your face to improve that doesn't risk your loss of sight.

Visual Loss after eyelid surgery

The likelihood of visual loss is very rare, with reports published that suggest is might be even 1 in 20000 cases. I am not aware of any of those with upper lid surgery. So even if it has been reported, lower lid surgery is the more dangerous of the two. The mechanism is described in other posts, and has to do with the fat manipulation during surgery. So the bottom line is that yes blindness is a concern no matter what, but it is very small, especially with upper lids... more

Visual disturbances following eyelid surgery

Visual disturbances are a rare risk of eyelid surgery. The complication termed retrobulbar hematoma occurs if there is uncontrolled bleeding behind the eye. If this places enough force on the optic nerve then blindness can occur. Discuss this and all potential risks with your plastic surgeon.

Eyelid Lifts and Risk of Blindness

The risk of blindness after blepharoplasty surgery is very rare, particularly upper eyelid lifts. This is a skin only removal surgery that if done carefully should be able to be done without risk of any vision loss. It is the removal of fat that runs the risk of retrobulbar bleeding in eyelid surgery.

Risk of eyelid surgery

There is no guarantee with any surgery. Eyelid surgery is generally a safe operation (similar to any dental procedure). There are specific eyelid and eye related complications that can happen but are rare. As long as surgery is done appropriately and conservatively by an experienced surgeon (oculoplastic surgeon), even monocular patients can have eyelid surgery.

Blindness and blepharoplasty

There is a small risk of blindness with eyelid surgery because of the risk of blood accumulating behind the eyeball. It is very rare.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Risk free blepharoplasty

All operations have risks but the risk you are most concerned with is loss of vision usually from a retrobulbar hematoma.You of course minimize your riks with an expert surgeon. A forehead lift or fat grafting to hide the bagsunder or fill the hollows above do not have the blindness risk since they are outside the orbit

All surgery poses risk

All surgical eyelid lift such as blepharoplasty pose a potential risk to vision. You may be a candidate for a brow lift which may pose a significantly less risk to your vision. You will need to consult a surgical experienced in peri-orbital rejuvenation to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.