The muscles around the eye are not very strong, especially the lower eyelid muscles. Any swelling associated with the surgery will keep the muscle from working as efficiently as it did before surgery. The swelling from the surgery weighs more than the fat that was removed. Another cause of postoperative weakness is weakness of the nerve that supplies the muscle. As the swelling subsides, the muscle strength recovers and helps the tears that normally keep the eye, and especially the cornea, moist. Until that time, it is imperative to keep the eye lubricated with artificial tears during the daytime and with the lacrilube at night so that you don't have to wake up every hour or so to put drops in the eye. A general rule is that if the "white" of the eye is red and swollen, it means that you aren't getting enough moisture in the eye. Support of the lower eyelid after surgery with tape can reduce the swelling and help protect the eyelid until the muscle strength fully recovers. Massage of the eyelids vertically, not horizontally will help the muscle get stronger, reduce the swelling that you have under the eye, and help the tears become more efficient. Avoid sleeping under a ceiling fan or AC vent to keep the eye from drying out, or use a "daytime sleeper" mask to prevent the air from drying out the eye at night. With a little time and "physical therapy" of the eyelid, the swelling and redness should resolve. (I would massage the left eye as well. It appears a little weak as well)John Standefer MD
