Can You Go Blind with Blepharoplasty?

Yes.
It is rare in the upper eyelid blepharoplasty but has been reported in lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Typically happens from bleeding inside the fatty tissue of the lower eyelid. If not addressed immediately then pressure from the accumulating blood can cause permanent damage to the optic (eye) nerve causing blindness. Other causes like infection, corneal injury etc are very rare.
So, make sure you are off all the medicine that can make you bleed. Better yet, read my instructions below.
Regards.
2345 Lamington Rd, Ste 108Bedminster, NJ 07921Tel: (908) 470-2600 Fax: (908) 470-1660 www.janjuafacialsurgery.com
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING BLEPHAROPLASTY
BEFORE SURGERY:
• Please read the general surgical instruction sheet given to you.• You will be given a prescription for Tobradex eye drops and Bacitracin eye ointment. • If you have any problems or concerns about your eyes or vision please let me know. I am especially interested in any symptoms of dry eyes, excessive tearing, double vision, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, injury to the eyes or any past surgery on the eyes. • Please take a closer look at your eyes in the mirror. Most people have some asymmetry in the position of the eyebrows and at times the eyelids. These can be corrected to some extent but will not be identical in position and shape after surgery. Also the eyelid skin can be lighter closer to the lash line but darker in the area away from the lashes. If you have this it will not change after surgery.• Blepharoplasty is a rewarding procedure and improves the aesthetic appearance of the whole face. In particular it makes a person appear younger. However, it carries risks including bleeding, infection, changes in vision such as double vision, blindness, dry eyes, droopy eyelid, insufficient skin removal or excess removal leading to incomplete eye closure, hollow appearance of the eyes because of excessive fat removal, prolonged swelling of the eyes or asymmetry of the eyes. The most devastating complication is loss of vision. The chance of this complication happening is approximately 0.04%. It usually happens because of bleeding in the eye after surgery. In most cases if the problem is identified early enough, treatment can reverse the loss of vision. The best way to prevent this complication is to avoid any Alcohol, Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Excedrin, Vitamin-E, Multiviatmins (they contain Vitamin-E), Gingko Beloba, fish oil or other herbs, Garlique, or any other blood thinners before surgery. For headaches or pain Tylenol is safe to take. It is crucial to avoid any physical exertion for two weeks after surgery. Blowing your nose, sneezing, coughing, straining in the bathroom, lifting weights, bending over can increase the chances of bleeding. If you need medication for constipation, cough or allergies causing sneezing, please let me know.• Bring dark sunglasses with you to the hospital or the office.• Buy or loan some books on audio cassettes from the library to listen to after your surgery for the first night.• You will need to arrange for an adult to provide a ride to take you home from after surgery and preferably spend the night with you after surgery.
AFTER SURGERY:
• Applying icepacks to the eyes for the first three days after your surgery is important. Use alcohol in a ziplock bag. It will not become solid in the freezer and will be easy to apply to the eyes. An alternative is to put frozen peas in a ziplock bag.• Do not wear contacts for three days after surgery. • Do not exercise or attempt to do house work. Do not bend over, push or lift any thing heavy.• Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows or in a recliner.• Do not strain your eyes by watching TV or reading a book for at least two days. You can listen to music.• Clean the incisions with cotton tip applicator (Q-tips) and hydrogen peroxide, at least three times a day. Then apply Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment on the incisions. Do not let the incisions become dry.• Put two drops of Tobradex eye drops in each eye twice a day for five days. • Systane eye drops (over the counter) can be used to help with the itching.• Do not wash your eyes for five days. Clean the rest of your face with a wash cloth.• You will return to the office in three to five days for removal of the stitches.• Do not drink alcohol for two weeks.• For pain take Tylenol or the prescription pain medication given to you. • DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN • IF AT ANY TIME YOUR VISION CHANGES, THE EYE BECOMES SWOLLEN OR RED, OR YOU HAVE INCREASING PAIN, PLEASE CALL ME IMMEDIATELY.
YOUR NOTES AND QUESTIONS:
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Hi thank you for your question! You can. This is a risk with any surgery but with proper knowledge of anatomy and techniques, the complications are extremely rare.  Our five practices have perform thousands of Blepharoplasty each year with no adverse complications.  But we are very selective and particular about our techniques.  This is why It is very important to seek an experienced plastic surgeon to perform these procedures.

You can. This is a well know risk and complication, although very rare. This procedure may be rather simple but it does have its devasting complications just like any other plastic surgery procedures. There are things that we do in the operating room to prevent this and there are things that we can do to treat this as well. Patients that have a history of high blood pressure that is not well controlled are at greater risk.