Which Between Blepharoplasty and Lasik Should Come First?

Question

I know that you cannot have both Eyelid Surgery and Lasik at the same time.  But which is better to do first?  And how far apart should the procedures be?

Carolyn C. Chang, MD · Answer

Visual acuity can change slightly after a blepharoplasty, especially when performed on the upper lids. For this reason, I would recommend having your blepharoplasty before your lasik procedure if possible. The lids should be given ample time to heal, and the swelling should be resloved before undertaking lasik. Different people heal at different rates, but in general, this takes several months.

Julian De Silva, MD · Answer

Blepharoplasty, helps improve the shape of the
eyelids by rejuvenating their appearance. Immediately after blepharoplasty
surgery the eyes may feel dry as a consequence of swelling and reduced
blinking.

Laser
refractive surgery improves the refractive properties of the eyes, and involves making a
flap in the front window (termed cornea) in the eye, followed by laser
treatment, the surgery often results in some dryness immediately after the
surgery and contact lenses are often placed over the eyes to aid recovery in
the short-term period.

Although
blepharoplasty is surgery on the eyelid only and there is no surgery on the eye
itself, both the different techniques can lead to dryness immediately after the
procedure. It is recommended that they are not completed on the same day and a
minimum of 6 weeks to 3 months interval between the different procedures.

Cary M. Silverman, MD · Answer

Both procedures can adversely effect dry eyes. I would recomend doing LASIK first and waiting at least 6 months before considering the blepharoplasty (once tear productiuon has improved sufficiently).

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It does not matter which procedure comes first other than both operations should be separated in time by approximately three months to make sure that full healing has occurred and the lymphatic edema and swelling has subsided.

Jon Dishler, MD, FACS · Answer

If a blepharoplasty has been performed years ago, then the eyes can be evaluated for LASIK in relation to dry eye risks and in most cases the LASIK can be performed.  When the procedures are to be done in close time proximity, I would recommend doing the LASIK first, wait until there is healing without dry eye for about 3 months, and then do the blepharoplasty.
Immediately post blepharoplasty is the time that eyes can be dry, and there can be a problem with the lids not completely closing and this would not be an ideal time to perform LASIK.  The LASIK flaps also need to be well healed so there is no chance of damage during manipulation of the blepharoplasty procedure.

W. Tracy Hankins, MD · Answer

I would recommend you have Lasik first, and wait until your eyes are completely healed, i.e. no dry eyes, tearing,photophobia, night blindness, etc. prior to having your upper lid blepharoplasty.

Jonathan Hoenig, MD · Answer

If you are considering both Lasik vision correction and cosmetic eyelid surgery, you can do them in either order. If you have the Lasik first, wait about a week for the eyelid surgery. If you have the eyelid surgery first, wait about 3-4 weeks for the Lasik.

Which Between Blepharoplasty and Lasik Should Come First?

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