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What Causes Blurry Vision After Blepharoplasty?

asked 3 years ago by LaLaInTheWaynePlane in Canada
Latest answer by Chris Thiagarajah, MD
Question viewed 10,451 times
Tags: blurry vision, side effects

No complications occured during the procedure and I could see clearly for a week after the surgery. Now, three weeks after, my vision is extremely blurred. According to two physicians who examined me, there was no damage or infection present, only that my eyes are dry. I have been using the eyedrops and eyegel prescribed by the doctor, but my vision is still blurry. What could be causing it?

14 answers to What Causes Blurry Vision After Blepharoplasty?

Several potential problems

Blurry vision shortly after surgery is very common. The swelling is often the result of edema in the cornea essentially creating a temporary "bad contact lens". Ointments can of course cause blurriness as well, especially the thicker ones often prescribed for use at nighttime. However these sources of blurriness almost always improve shortly after surgery, and your blurriness seems to be getting worse. Dryness can lead to corneal injury and eventually corneal damage, so it... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

Many possible causes

I agree with the excellent recommendations of my colleagues. However, I do experience similar complaints in some of my patients at the 3 week period. Wound healing does result in some sensations of tightness which is due to scar tissue formation. Although you may not realize it you may not be completely closing your eyes at night resulting in drying of the cornea. Usually the gel prevents this. The most common sign of this is dryness and itching which is worst first thing in the morning... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Visual changes three weeks following blepharoplasty is abnormal. Please see an ophthalmologist!

There are numerous potential causes of altered vision following eye lid tuck---blepharoplasty. Please see a board certified opthalmologist and continue your follow-up with your treating surgeon. Your vision is too precious to take chances. Blurry visual changes three weeks following a blepharoplasty is abnormal! Thanks for your question.

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Gel only at night

Hopefully, the two physicians that examined you were ophthalmologists. If you are using the gel during the day, this could account for your blurred vision, especially if there is a relationship between when you started the gel and the blurriness. Use the drops 4-5 times a day and the gel only at night. Follow up with your surgeon and let him/her know your complaints and good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Blurring after surgery

The causes of blurring after surgery include: Swelling if the eyelids that causes a distortion of the cornea - this should resolve on its own. Dryness as a result of swelling of the eyelids. The lids do not distribute the tear film evenly across your eye , thereby distorting your vision. You may see additional tearing but still feel dry. This should, also resolve as the swelling resolves. Dryness as a result of eyelids that do not close normally. This can be the result of post-operative... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

You need to see an ophthalmologist soon

It is important that you have your eyes examined. Normally, after belpharoplasty, you may have blurry vision from the ointment used to keep your eyes moist. You may then need to continue to use moisturizing drops to keep the eyes from becoming dry. Sometimes during surgery or after surgery when your eyelids are not yet protecting your eyes properly, you may get a corneal abrasion which can cause pain. However, for your vision to still be blurry three weeks after surgery is not typical. ... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Vision change after blepharoplasty

There are several causes of vision change after blepharoplasty: 1. Dry Eyes: This is second to eyelid closure problems or incomplete blinking. This gets better with time most often. I have patients use drops during the day (up to every hour sometimes) and gel at night. If your eyes are dry, increase the lubrication. You cant overdose it 2. Refractive changes: Sometimes after blepharoplasty or ptosis surgery, astigmatism can be induced in the cornea as the eyelid position is... more

Chris Thiagarajah, MD
Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Blurry vision after blepharoplasty usually due to ointment

By far the most common cause of blurry vision after blepharoplasty is the use of ointments to keep the eye moist. Since you had ointments precribed for dry eye this is most likely. Occaisionally, tightening of the lower eyelid by a canthopexy or lower blepharoplasty with external incision and lateral orbicularis muscle pexy tightens the lid sufficiently to change the shape of the eyeball. This can alter your refractive index or ability to focus. if this occurs it usually resolves in 6 weeks... more

Brooke R. Seckel, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

Late blurred vision will require further exam

Initially your vision was normal and then it blurred three weeks later. Addressing the dry eye problem with saline and gel may be part of the issue. I have used gel on patients in the past and it has caused blurring just from the gel. Obviously you have to address the dry eye but you may want to discuss the treatment regimen with your surgeon and/or an opthalmologist. I suspect this will help your blurring significantly. All the best.

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Blurry vision after a blepharoplasty

Blurry vision after a blepharoplasty is usually related to swelling of the sclera (whites of the eyes) and eyeball, which distorts the cornea. It is important to make sure that there is no corneal abrasion or infection present. In effort to prevent infection, antibiotic eye drops are prescribed for the postoperative phase, and Lacri-Lube ophthalmic ointment is prescribed for nighttime use.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Blepharoplasty and blurry vision

Blurry vision 3 weeks after eye surgery is not very common. This can be due to irritation of your cornea or even from overuse of lubricating ointment during the day. The lubricating ointment should be used at night and eye drops should be used during the day if the eyes feel dry. Seeing an ophthalmologist is a good idea to look into the possible problem.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Drying of cornea.

Dryness after upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be due to several causes. Most commonly, dry eye is the result of the eyelids not fully closing allowing for exposure and drying of the outer surface of your eye (the cornea). This condition is usually treated with lubricating drops and gel. In some cases tear duct plugs are placed to slow down the drainage of tears from your eye. This allows your natural tears to moisturize your eyes. Drying of your cornea can persist and distort your vision.... more

Adam J. Cohen, MD
Skokie Oculoplastic Surgeon

You need to see an Ophthalmologist.

Blurring of your vision immediately after eyelid surgery is normal. The combination of ointment after surgery and slight changes to the cornea from the numbing medication can have a blurring effect. I consult all my patients not to worry about their prescription in the first 2 weeks, as it will come back to normal. This is just a slight change in vision, not significant blurring. After 3 weeks, you need to be evaluated by a ophthalmologist or specialist in corneal evaluation. You may have... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Do your eyes fully close after eyelid surgery?

There are many factors that can cause blurred vision after eyelid surgery. Given the history of blurred vision starting one week after blepharoplasty the most likely cause is a dry eye or poor closure of your eyelids. If you did not have the luxury of having an Ocular Plastic Surgeon perform your surgery, I agree with the others that now is the time to be examined by one or an ophthalmologist. The Eye MD needs to look at your cornea at a slit lamp and your nerve in the back of your eye... more