I am planning to have a face lift with both upper and lower blepaharoplasty. I have dry eyes which I am concerned with that may have been a result of a previous blepharoplasty. My eyes are big and they also somewhat pretrude slightly, but are not unsightly. My surgeon says that he can tighten the outer corners of my eyes during the blepharoplasty to prevent futher dryness. Is this possible, and if so, will I look different?
Answer: Corner of the eye surgery The eye shape can and should be addressed when a lower blepharoplasty is performed. Often, the problem occurs during a first blepharoplasty, when skin is removed from the lower eyelid. This causes pulling down of the eyelid and rounding of the eye. In some patients, theyr eyeball (globe) is prominent, and protrudes out of the bony socket. Both of these conditions can cause dry eye by too much rounding of the eye and too much exposure of the very sensitive cornea, the lining of the eyeball. When the corners of the eye are corrected, a canthopexy or canthoplasty can be performed. In our practice, we almost always combine this with a cheeklift (LUSIC cheeklift), in order to "give" tissue to the lower eyelid so that can then be used to be reconstruct the corner of the eye. The eye can change in shape, almost always for the better. Most patients prefer the unoperated appearance of an almond shaped eye to the rounded, operated appearing eye. The lower eyelid is one of the trickiest areas in all of plastic surgery, and the patient should do their research carefully before undertaking the procedure. The highest incidence of unfavorable results in all of eyelid surgery occurs in patients with prominent globes. There are several publications on this topic on our website drbrent.com for patients interested in the fine details.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Corner of the eye surgery The eye shape can and should be addressed when a lower blepharoplasty is performed. Often, the problem occurs during a first blepharoplasty, when skin is removed from the lower eyelid. This causes pulling down of the eyelid and rounding of the eye. In some patients, theyr eyeball (globe) is prominent, and protrudes out of the bony socket. Both of these conditions can cause dry eye by too much rounding of the eye and too much exposure of the very sensitive cornea, the lining of the eyeball. When the corners of the eye are corrected, a canthopexy or canthoplasty can be performed. In our practice, we almost always combine this with a cheeklift (LUSIC cheeklift), in order to "give" tissue to the lower eyelid so that can then be used to be reconstruct the corner of the eye. The eye can change in shape, almost always for the better. Most patients prefer the unoperated appearance of an almond shaped eye to the rounded, operated appearing eye. The lower eyelid is one of the trickiest areas in all of plastic surgery, and the patient should do their research carefully before undertaking the procedure. The highest incidence of unfavorable results in all of eyelid surgery occurs in patients with prominent globes. There are several publications on this topic on our website drbrent.com for patients interested in the fine details.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Second blepharoplasty on protruding eyes is risky Secondary blepharoplasty is always more risky than a primary blepharoplasty. This is especially so in patients with large protruding eyes. The risk is that the lower eyelid will retract downward and expose the eye further in a condition called an ectropion. It sounds as though your doctor plans a lid tightening procedure called a canthoplasty or canthopexy which is the appropriate way to corrrect or counter the problem of ectropion. The cantopexy or canthoplasty will definitely change the shape of your eyelid by creating an upward slant and your eyes will look smaller. These revisional procedures require experience and expertise. Personally when I do a canthopexy or canthoplasty in the situation that you describe, I do the canthopexy or cantoplasty through the upper eyelid incision and do any lower eyelid revision through a transconjunctival incision on the inside of the lower eyelid to avoid weakening the lower eyelid suport by placing an incision through the outside of the lower eyelid.
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CONTACT NOW Answer: Second blepharoplasty on protruding eyes is risky Secondary blepharoplasty is always more risky than a primary blepharoplasty. This is especially so in patients with large protruding eyes. The risk is that the lower eyelid will retract downward and expose the eye further in a condition called an ectropion. It sounds as though your doctor plans a lid tightening procedure called a canthoplasty or canthopexy which is the appropriate way to corrrect or counter the problem of ectropion. The cantopexy or canthoplasty will definitely change the shape of your eyelid by creating an upward slant and your eyes will look smaller. These revisional procedures require experience and expertise. Personally when I do a canthopexy or canthoplasty in the situation that you describe, I do the canthopexy or cantoplasty through the upper eyelid incision and do any lower eyelid revision through a transconjunctival incision on the inside of the lower eyelid to avoid weakening the lower eyelid suport by placing an incision through the outside of the lower eyelid.
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April 10, 2009
Answer: Eyes will look different Before undergoing a canthoplasty or canthopexy to reduce dry eyes, one should check with their ophthalmologist about placing silicone plugs in the tear ducts to gain more tears in the eye itself. Other eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist can help with dry eyes. Tightening the corners of the eyes will change the shape of the eyes to more of an almond shape, which may help a little bit with the dryness. Your eyes will look different, especially for the first month.
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Answer: Eyes will look different Before undergoing a canthoplasty or canthopexy to reduce dry eyes, one should check with their ophthalmologist about placing silicone plugs in the tear ducts to gain more tears in the eye itself. Other eye drops prescribed by an ophthalmologist can help with dry eyes. Tightening the corners of the eyes will change the shape of the eyes to more of an almond shape, which may help a little bit with the dryness. Your eyes will look different, especially for the first month.
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January 15, 2009
Answer: Revision blepharoplasty during facelift procedure: Outcome and Risks of Blepharoplasty and Dry Eyes A blepharoplasty procedure can be performed successfully during a facelift procedure. In the case of a patient with dry eyes, a plastic surgeon should be cautious of exacerbating the dry eyes by revisional surgery on the upper or lower eyelid. A thorough analysis of the causes of dry eyes is appropriate, with examination of the cornea, tear output, and lacrimal gland function. A canthoplasty can also be performed during a blepharoplasty procedure to tighten the lower eyelid to prevent further exposure of the lower eyelid. However, this will help based on the identification of the causes of the dry eyes. In your case, I would perform a complete eye examination and also have a referral to a corneal specialist who would examine the lacrimal gland function. These tests, in addition to an anatomic examination will allow a thorough plan to minimize further injury to your eyes.
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CONTACT NOW January 15, 2009
Answer: Revision blepharoplasty during facelift procedure: Outcome and Risks of Blepharoplasty and Dry Eyes A blepharoplasty procedure can be performed successfully during a facelift procedure. In the case of a patient with dry eyes, a plastic surgeon should be cautious of exacerbating the dry eyes by revisional surgery on the upper or lower eyelid. A thorough analysis of the causes of dry eyes is appropriate, with examination of the cornea, tear output, and lacrimal gland function. A canthoplasty can also be performed during a blepharoplasty procedure to tighten the lower eyelid to prevent further exposure of the lower eyelid. However, this will help based on the identification of the causes of the dry eyes. In your case, I would perform a complete eye examination and also have a referral to a corneal specialist who would examine the lacrimal gland function. These tests, in addition to an anatomic examination will allow a thorough plan to minimize further injury to your eyes.
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January 15, 2009
Answer: More than just the eyes Page, Your situation is a very complex one, in which your dry eye syndrome may be worsened if the wrong procedure is done and may be improved if the correct procedure is performed. It sounds as if your surgeon is familiar with the issues that your present eye condition creates. However, the terminology of a repeat lower blepharoplasty concerns me. He may be using that term as a generic for your real requirement of lower lid repositioning. Be sure he/she is a board certified plastic surgeon. Sometimes just a tightening of the lower eyelid across a prominent globe (eyeball) causes a clothesline effect and further exposure of the cornea. So the condition usually requires a cheek or mid face lift to provide structural support to the lower eyelid. If this is the plan, then you are right on course. Good luck!
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CONTACT NOW January 15, 2009
Answer: More than just the eyes Page, Your situation is a very complex one, in which your dry eye syndrome may be worsened if the wrong procedure is done and may be improved if the correct procedure is performed. It sounds as if your surgeon is familiar with the issues that your present eye condition creates. However, the terminology of a repeat lower blepharoplasty concerns me. He may be using that term as a generic for your real requirement of lower lid repositioning. Be sure he/she is a board certified plastic surgeon. Sometimes just a tightening of the lower eyelid across a prominent globe (eyeball) causes a clothesline effect and further exposure of the cornea. So the condition usually requires a cheek or mid face lift to provide structural support to the lower eyelid. If this is the plan, then you are right on course. Good luck!
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November 12, 2015
Answer: Blepharoplasty and Dry Eyes Thanks for your questions Page - In my practice, we perform upper and lower blepharoplasty, and a careful history about dry eye must be obtained. The issue is that blepharoplasty can make eye dryness worse and interfere with your ability to protect your eyes, causing complications that can be as serious as blindness. The fact that you note you have some prominent globes increases possible complications. For patients with multiple risk factors, we typically employ several tests to determine the severity of your issues. These tests look at the anatomy and elasticity of your lids, your ability to protect your cornea, and the quality of the lubrication of your eyes. It sounds like your surgeon has recommended a canthopexy to tighten your lower lid. This can help with some of these problems. The cathopexy can have an impact on cosmetic result, but when done properly, this can be part of improving the overall look. Proceed with caution and make sure to discuss these issues in depth with your surgeon. Be sure to be dealing with a board certified plastic surgeon in this situation. I hope this helps!
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Answer: Blepharoplasty and Dry Eyes Thanks for your questions Page - In my practice, we perform upper and lower blepharoplasty, and a careful history about dry eye must be obtained. The issue is that blepharoplasty can make eye dryness worse and interfere with your ability to protect your eyes, causing complications that can be as serious as blindness. The fact that you note you have some prominent globes increases possible complications. For patients with multiple risk factors, we typically employ several tests to determine the severity of your issues. These tests look at the anatomy and elasticity of your lids, your ability to protect your cornea, and the quality of the lubrication of your eyes. It sounds like your surgeon has recommended a canthopexy to tighten your lower lid. This can help with some of these problems. The cathopexy can have an impact on cosmetic result, but when done properly, this can be part of improving the overall look. Proceed with caution and make sure to discuss these issues in depth with your surgeon. Be sure to be dealing with a board certified plastic surgeon in this situation. I hope this helps!
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