15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please. (Photo)

Question

My right eye only closes 3/4 of the way unless I use my finger to push it down. My eyes are always tearing, vision blurred, dry, and it is uncomfortable to look at something for a long time. I also get tired quickly. The doctor said I should just try to force it shut and open it continually, as an exercise, but I'm not sure if that's all it takes. It feels tingly when I try to close it shut using just my lid muscles. Can anybody shed some light on my situation please? Thanks!

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

This is a very interesting situation.  It is uncommon for any such issue to arise after rhinoplasty.  However there is one possibility that I can think of. During low lateral osteotomies a bruise can happen to one of the nerve branches of the facial nerve that goes from the lower eyelid to the upper eyelid.  This is not explained even in the textbooks very well.  I happened to notice only through discussion with one of my esteemed colleagues Dr. Jeffrey Schiller who is currently investigating this abnormal branch of the facial nerve not found in everyone.  If you wish, you can reach out to him and discussed her case further.  He is an oculoplastic surgeon in New York City and New Jersey.  The good news is that the nerve should heal with time and you should be able to achieve a complete eyelid closure.  Kindly post a follow-up over the next few weeks to a few months to educate us all.RegardsDr. J

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

This is not expected after rhinoplasty surgery.  You need to see an eye specialist as well as your surgeon to evaluate. Normal surgical swelling does not typically cause persistent symptoms as described.   Its possible you have a corneal abrasion from the surgery which would explain the blurred vision and discomfort.   If you sustained trauma to the tear duct you which can occur with osteotomies then persistent tearing can occur.  Hopefully it is nothing serious and it will settle down.  To be safe see any ophthalmologist asap.

Wendell Perry, MD · Answer

This is something you have to pay attention too. If your eye can't close you can dry out your cornea and that can be dangerous for your eye. Keeping your eye moist drops and/or ointment is critical in its most important at night when you don't blink. If you have pain in your eye you should talk to your doctor and consider ophthalmology consultation.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Sounds a bit unusual for a standard rhinoplasty but swelling can cause this problem.  Take precautions against irritation to your cornea by using wetting drops.  Ask your plastic surgeon if you need to see an ophthalmologist.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Sounds like a longer recovery in your presented case. If by 21 days still with issues than you may need a eye or near examine.....

15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please. (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Trouble closing eye after a rhinoplasty

Answer: Trouble closing eye after a rhinoplasty

Answer: 15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please.

Answer: 15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please.

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15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please. (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Trouble closing eye after a rhinoplasty

Answer: Trouble closing eye after a rhinoplasty

Answer: 15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please.

Answer: 15 days post Rhinoplasty, my right eye will not fully close. What do I do? Is this normal? Help please.

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.