My lower left eyelid has pulled away from my eyeball and I would like to know if this is normal? (photos)

You have an early ectropion or eyelid malposition.  I would follow closely with your surgeon.  Often exercises and taping will help and sometimes early intervention with sutures to support the lower eyelid can be useful.  Usually the problem will improve with time, but you are definitely at risk for some permanent problem, requiring additional surgery. You should have frequent followup with your surgeon.

Some visible pulling of the lower eyelid is not uncommon after lower lid surgery where skin is removed. It is usually due to a combination of swelling and a lack of normal tension in the lower lid muscle. Swelling of the lower eyelid pushes the lid margin away from the eyeball making it look pulled. The surgery also effects the muscle of the lower lid. Without the normal muscle tone, the lid can look pulled.I'd recommend discussing your concerns with your surgeon. I usually have patients start to massage the lid upward and towards the eyeball about a week or so after the surgery. As long as there is enough skin left, the lid should return to a normal position.Andrew Campbell, M.D.Facial Plastic SpecialistQuintessa Aesthetic Centers

Thank you very much for your question, and for providing the picture.While this isn't "normal", an ectropion (what you are describing and is shown in your pictures) soon after surgery can happen as a result of the swelling.  There are massage techniques, squinting exercises, and occasionally taping or special sutures that may help.  I recommend discussing this issue with your surgeon and follow their recommendations closely.  Best of luck!

This can happen due to swelling from the surgery.  It should improve gradually.  I would recommend upward massage on your lower lid upward from your cheek up to the lower lid margin to counteract any scarring that may be pulling the lid down. 

You have lower eyelid ectropion after blepharoplasty. It is still early in the healing process. Recommend doing squinting exercises. Discuss with your surgeon and/or see an oculoplastic specialist.

You have weakness in the lower eyelid and this is contributing to a frank ectropion.  Your surgeon will have suggestions for simple measures for helping this.  Many of these get better with a little help in terms of massage and other measures like taping.  Follow your surgeons suggestions.

Thank you for your question and your photo. It's too early for you to be concerned about the lower eyelid position since you had your surgery only five days ago. Allow appropriate amount of time for healing  and lower eyelid tissue to settle appropriately. It's always best to discuss your concerns with your surgeon. If this issue persists past three months you can certainly look at other treatment options such as canthopexy/canthoplasty and possible skin graft.Dr. Dhaval PatelOakbrook, Barrington, Chicago

Hello,After lower eyelid surgery it is common for the position of the lower eyelid to change slightly and temporarily. A contributing factor to this is postoperative swelling and at five days you are just beyond the peak of the swelling. Allow your surgeon to reassure you about this as this will most likely completely resolve in the next few weeks.Regards,J. Phillip Garcia, MD.

Thanks for your question. You should not have this problem at 5 days from surgery. From my experience, even swelling after surgery should not pull your eyelid aways from the globe or the eyeball. This is called lower lid retraction, or lower lid malposition, and in its severe form it is called lower lid ectropion. When this happens in the first week after surgery it is usually better to correct it right away with tightening the lid rather than waiting until scar tissue develop because then it will be harder to correct. Having said that, I think you should see your surgeon and have him examine your lower lids and determine what the problem is. Hope this helps.

Yes, it is worrisome, and you should follow closely with your surgeon. Many times this improves with gentle massage and taping. Best to ask your surgeon what he prefers.