I'm considering having blepharoplasty eyelid surgery next year. What kind of complications might I run into if I get this done? What is the best way to handle it if you do have eyelid surgery complications?
Answer: Complications after Blepharoplasty Fortunately Blepharoplasty is very safe and the risk of any major complications is very rare as long as long as your surgeon is well-trained and the surgery is performed in a well-equipped facility. The most devastating complication that has been reported by surgeons around the world after blepharoplasty is blindness. This is extremely rare but has occurred. It is usually due to bleeding after eyelid surgery, which is also quite rare. The accumulated blood puts pressure on the nerves to the eye and if it is not treated urgently, can lead to permanent decrease or loss of vision. Another rare complication is excessive scarring within the lower eyelid resulting in the lower eyelid being pulled down producing an unattractive appearance and/or dry eyes. This is known as an ectropion. An ectropion usually resolves on its own but may require more eyelid surgery to repair the problem. More common complaints after blepharoplasty are things like temporary dry eyes for several days or even weeks. We treat this with lubricating drops and ointments until the symptoms resolve.
Helpful 9 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW Answer: Complications after Blepharoplasty Fortunately Blepharoplasty is very safe and the risk of any major complications is very rare as long as long as your surgeon is well-trained and the surgery is performed in a well-equipped facility. The most devastating complication that has been reported by surgeons around the world after blepharoplasty is blindness. This is extremely rare but has occurred. It is usually due to bleeding after eyelid surgery, which is also quite rare. The accumulated blood puts pressure on the nerves to the eye and if it is not treated urgently, can lead to permanent decrease or loss of vision. Another rare complication is excessive scarring within the lower eyelid resulting in the lower eyelid being pulled down producing an unattractive appearance and/or dry eyes. This is known as an ectropion. An ectropion usually resolves on its own but may require more eyelid surgery to repair the problem. More common complaints after blepharoplasty are things like temporary dry eyes for several days or even weeks. We treat this with lubricating drops and ointments until the symptoms resolve.
Helpful 9 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW January 1, 2019
Answer: Eyelid surgery complications Hi, Upper eyelid surgery is much easier to perform than lower eyelid surgery. The biggest risk with lower eyelid surgery is removing too much skin resulting in pull on the lower eyelid. These are the main risks I discuss with patients: Like all forms of cosmetic surgery, eyelid surgery has associated complications. These include: Bleeding – It is not uncommon to have very minor bleeding immediately after surgery which stops with simple pressure. Bruising – To be expected and varies between patients. Usually resolved by 10 days. Unfavourable scarring – Uncommon. Dry eyes – Usually short lived but can be worse in patients who already have dry eyes prior to their operation – often an indication not to perform surgery in the first place. Grittiness and watering – Usually short lived. Under correction – We never wish to overcorrect as this can cause pulling on the lower eyelid or difficulty closing the eyes – sometimes further surgery may be required to remove residual skin. Ectropion – Where the lid no longer rests on the globe of the eye (results from removing too much skin) – uncommon and may require further surgery to correct. Asymmetry – Minor degrees of eyelid asymmetry are very common in all the general population. This finding is no different following eyelid surgery. Blindness – Extremely rare (1 in 30,000 patients) and results from bleeding behind the eye which is not treated promptly. Unsatisfactory result – A very small number of patients may end up with a degree of dissatisfaction at the final outcome and further revisional surgery may be necessary.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW January 1, 2019
Answer: Eyelid surgery complications Hi, Upper eyelid surgery is much easier to perform than lower eyelid surgery. The biggest risk with lower eyelid surgery is removing too much skin resulting in pull on the lower eyelid. These are the main risks I discuss with patients: Like all forms of cosmetic surgery, eyelid surgery has associated complications. These include: Bleeding – It is not uncommon to have very minor bleeding immediately after surgery which stops with simple pressure. Bruising – To be expected and varies between patients. Usually resolved by 10 days. Unfavourable scarring – Uncommon. Dry eyes – Usually short lived but can be worse in patients who already have dry eyes prior to their operation – often an indication not to perform surgery in the first place. Grittiness and watering – Usually short lived. Under correction – We never wish to overcorrect as this can cause pulling on the lower eyelid or difficulty closing the eyes – sometimes further surgery may be required to remove residual skin. Ectropion – Where the lid no longer rests on the globe of the eye (results from removing too much skin) – uncommon and may require further surgery to correct. Asymmetry – Minor degrees of eyelid asymmetry are very common in all the general population. This finding is no different following eyelid surgery. Blindness – Extremely rare (1 in 30,000 patients) and results from bleeding behind the eye which is not treated promptly. Unsatisfactory result – A very small number of patients may end up with a degree of dissatisfaction at the final outcome and further revisional surgery may be necessary.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
July 11, 2018
Answer: Blepharoplasty complications Apart from the general complications (e.g infection and poor scarring with of which are rare in eyelids) the major one is bleeding- the incidence of this causing blindness is in the order of 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 500,000 so its is exceedingly rare but if the bleeding happens behind the eye it can cause a very painful eye with decrease in vision. Your surgeon should be walking through the process with you and be guiding you through potential complications because you need to be taking immediate action when such unlikely complications occur. Wish you the best in your journey, Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW July 11, 2018
Answer: Blepharoplasty complications Apart from the general complications (e.g infection and poor scarring with of which are rare in eyelids) the major one is bleeding- the incidence of this causing blindness is in the order of 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 500,000 so its is exceedingly rare but if the bleeding happens behind the eye it can cause a very painful eye with decrease in vision. Your surgeon should be walking through the process with you and be guiding you through potential complications because you need to be taking immediate action when such unlikely complications occur. Wish you the best in your journey, Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Book a consultation
CONTACT NOW
FIND THE RIGHT
TREATMENT FOR YOU
November 18, 2018
Answer: Blepharoplasty Complications Every medical treatment has risks, and this is true for eyelid surgery as well. Risks of eyelid surgery include bleeding, scarring, dry eye, infection, difficulty closing the eye, corneal abrasion, inadequate (or overzealous) surgical excision of either skin or fat resulting in patient dissatisfaction, eyelid malposition, need for future surgery, anesthesia complications, and more. As long as you choose a well-qualified and well-trained surgeon who can demonstrate experience in the procedures, these risks are generally very low and great results with eyelid surgery are possible. As with any surgical procedure, if complications do occur, the first step is to notify your surgeon of any concerns and follow their recommendations very closely. Be sure to see an expert who specializes in facial aesthetic surgical procedures. All the best,
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW November 18, 2018
Answer: Blepharoplasty Complications Every medical treatment has risks, and this is true for eyelid surgery as well. Risks of eyelid surgery include bleeding, scarring, dry eye, infection, difficulty closing the eye, corneal abrasion, inadequate (or overzealous) surgical excision of either skin or fat resulting in patient dissatisfaction, eyelid malposition, need for future surgery, anesthesia complications, and more. As long as you choose a well-qualified and well-trained surgeon who can demonstrate experience in the procedures, these risks are generally very low and great results with eyelid surgery are possible. As with any surgical procedure, if complications do occur, the first step is to notify your surgeon of any concerns and follow their recommendations very closely. Be sure to see an expert who specializes in facial aesthetic surgical procedures. All the best,
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW
December 11, 2017
Answer: Complications of a blepharoplasty A blepharoplasty is a wonderful procedure with an amazing outcome and quite low complication. I always perform my signature TBT-eyelift procedure which is a less-invasive and less-traumatic procedure which minimises the risks and complications. Instead of removing the orbital fat which needs a resection/opening of the orbital septum I reposition the orbital fat and leave the septum intact. This septum divides the eyelid from the orbit with its very delicate structures. With the traditional blepharoplasty a major risk is the over-resection of orbital fat which creates a hollow-eye look of the upper eyelid which looks either very operated or even very old (since we loose this fat with ageing). When resecting the orbital fat the lacrimal glands which look similar to the orbital fat could be hurt or removed resulting in a dry eye for life. Bleeding fat might glide back into the orbit after a part was resected and could cause pressure on the optical nerve which can cause blindness. These risks are not involved with the TBT-lift since the septum is not destroyed but only tightened with an external suture. Further complications of an upper eyelift could be a temporary dryness or chemosis (irritation) of the eyes. Risks like conjunctivitis are very rare and more likely occur when an upper and lower eyelift are combined. An assymetric result is very rare but can easily corrected in a minor revision surgery.
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW December 11, 2017
Answer: Complications of a blepharoplasty A blepharoplasty is a wonderful procedure with an amazing outcome and quite low complication. I always perform my signature TBT-eyelift procedure which is a less-invasive and less-traumatic procedure which minimises the risks and complications. Instead of removing the orbital fat which needs a resection/opening of the orbital septum I reposition the orbital fat and leave the septum intact. This septum divides the eyelid from the orbit with its very delicate structures. With the traditional blepharoplasty a major risk is the over-resection of orbital fat which creates a hollow-eye look of the upper eyelid which looks either very operated or even very old (since we loose this fat with ageing). When resecting the orbital fat the lacrimal glands which look similar to the orbital fat could be hurt or removed resulting in a dry eye for life. Bleeding fat might glide back into the orbit after a part was resected and could cause pressure on the optical nerve which can cause blindness. These risks are not involved with the TBT-lift since the septum is not destroyed but only tightened with an external suture. Further complications of an upper eyelift could be a temporary dryness or chemosis (irritation) of the eyes. Risks like conjunctivitis are very rare and more likely occur when an upper and lower eyelift are combined. An assymetric result is very rare but can easily corrected in a minor revision surgery.
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
Book a virtual consultation
CONTACT NOW