Is Blindness a Risk of Canthopexy?

Is blindness a risk after canthopexy?  Yes, but so is tripping on the curb when you go for a walk.  There is no surgical procedure without risk or potential consequence.  At the same time, the risk of visual loss from a surgical procedure on the eyelids is exceedingly small.  In the United States, we are required to inform patients about possible worst case scenarios as part of the informed consent process.

All eyelid surgery is associated with a very small risk of bleeding behind the eye. This type of bleeding left untreated can lead to blindness. The precise risk of this is not clearly defined but has been estimated at about one case in 50,000 or more cases.

Canthoplasty is a surgical procedure used to tighten the lower eyelid. The eye should not be injured during a canthoplasty.

Blindness is a very rare complication of eyelid surgery. If it does occur it would most likely be caused by unexpected bleeding putting pressure on the eye. This complication if treated promptly can prevent eye injury and possible blindness.