What Can Be Causing a Foreign Body Sensation After Blephorplasty?

Question

Dearest Doctors, Dad is 65yo. He had upper and lower bleph approx a year ago without complications and seemed to heal well. However, over the last few months, he is complaining of a foreign body sensation inside outer corner of upper lid. Like something is "rubbing" the eye. Surgeon insists "there is nothing there." She suggests compresses to the area and tears to lubricate. This is of no help. His eye is always red and swollen; he is constantly rubbing it. Any insight ?? What to do? TIA!!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

It is unlikely for material would be present after eyelid surgery to create the problem. A foreign object could have gotten trapped in the lid. Also inadequate tearing to lubricate the conjunctiva could be responsible. I would refer the patient of mine to that ophthalmologist for thorough examination.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Sound like he may be suffering from dry eye.  It is best to have an ophthalmology evaluation to rule that out.

	 

	Dr. ES

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hard to say without pictures or an exam, but dry eyes from a variety of mechanisms can frequently create the foreign body sensation.  I would get an exam by an ophthalmologist.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Because of the timing of your father's symptom starting many months after his blepharoplasty, I doubt that it would be the cause of his eye irritation. If you haven't done so already, I would recommend your father see an ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist would be able to examine your father's eyes in more detail than a plastic surgeon.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be unusual for this problem to develop one year after surgery. While a granuloma could develop or a suture reaction occur at this late date, the first step would be an opthalmology evaluation for corneal irritation.

What Can Be Causing a Foreign Body Sensation After Blephorplasty?

Answers (8)