I am 64 years old. Is healing an ectropion possible without taping or surgery? (Photo)

Question

It has been 6 weeks since my upper and lower blepharoplasty. My doctor has not scheduled another follow up appt. until July 13th. He told me to continue taping my eyelid sideways and to the upper left all day every day, but the tape is burning the fragile skin of my lower eyelid and upper cheek, so I've stopped taping it recently. Do you think my eyelid will heal on its own, without taping it anymore? I still push up on the lower eyelid for a count of 10, three times per day as instructed.

Ira Vidor, MD · Answer

Hi.  Sorry to hear about your trouble. Ectropion can potentially occur after lower blepharoplasty.  It appears as if you are still a bit swollen. If you have sufficient residual skin and adequate tendon support, then your eyelids may still improve a bit.  Some patients are fairly well healed at 6 weeks, but others take longer. Taping might help, but can cause skin irritation (as you have found out). If you are stiff, then antiinflammatory/ antifibrotic injections may help (I use 5-FU/ kenalog). It is possible that you may need revision eyelid surgery in the future.  I typically wait 4-6 months before performing revision surgery. Contact your surgeon regarding your concerns.  If you need revision surgery, be sure to go to a surgeon that is an expert at revision eyelid surgery. Hope this helps.  Best regards, Ira Vidor, M.D.

Katrinka L. Heher, MD · Answer

I have seen many patients like you heal very well over time.  I'm an eyelid specialist so I am sent lots of patients from other surgeons that develop an ectropion after lower lid surgery.  Massage alone will be helpful so definitely stop taping if it is irritating your skin.  The irritation can cause inflammation that will only slow your healing.  Around 12 weeks, your body will naturally start breaking down the scar tissue that is pulling down the lid.  Over the next few months you should see significant improvement.  I usually can determine whether surgery will be needed around the 6 month mark.  Hope this helps and best of luck.

F. True Lansden, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Some interventions to the lower lids can lead to prolonged swelling that pushes the lid away from the globe forming an ectropian.  Usually, however, by six weeks the swelling has resolved and an assessment can be made for the need of a lid tightening procedure.  If this is your picture at six weeks I strongly suggest that you speak to your Plastic Surgeon again.

Sara A. Kaltreider, MD (retired) · Answer

Transient ectropion secondary to lid laxity and swelling after blepharoplasty should be resolved at 6 weeks. You may want to call in for an earlier appointment with your surgeon to see if you can have it revised - particularly if you are uncomfortable and concerned about the prolonged social down time. Best wishes.

I am 64 years old. Is healing an ectropion possible without taping or surgery? (Photo)

Answers (4)