Rhinoplasty complication - is possible to cause blindness and mental issues?

We have seen occasional tearing from nasolacrimal duct swelling, however, thankfully this is has been temporary in almost everyone. Why in the world wouldn't your mother want you to have rhinoplasty? Always listen to your mother. Wishing you well moving forward! Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

The short answer to your question is, yes. Anytime someone is working with sharp and long instruments intraoperatively there is a chance of potential complications such as these. An experienced surgeon should know the anatomy well enough to minimize such risks. Please make sure to go to a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in rhinoplasty surgery.


Best of Luck!

Hello,
As far as I know, there is rare reports about being blind after rhinoplasty. The theory is that the local epinephrine can restrict the central retinal artery and in some cases this can cause temporary restriction of blood flow that can cause somebody to be blind. As far as possible loss of cognitive function, a CVA (stroke) or severe anesthetic complication after rhinoplasty is rare. While anything can happen after surgery, these situations are extremely rare.

Hello and thank you for your question. Those complications would not be associated with a well performed rhinoplasty it in any sense at all with standard safety protocols instituted. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

I have performed rhinoplasty for 15 years, and I have performed medicolegal consultation for nearly as long. I have NEVER come across anything like this from rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty operations are confined to the nose and nasal cavity. While they may seem close to the eye and brain, for most surgeons, these structures feel far away. If any sort of injury occurred from a rhinoplasty, it would have to result from egregious and unbelievably careless techniques from a careless surgeon assuming the patient did not have unknown aberrant anatomical differences that cannot be seen/felt externally.

That being said, I have dealt with cases involve eye trauma, blindness, double vision, brain infections, and more from sinus surgery. At times, sinus surgery is done concomitantly with a rhinoplasty, and if that was the case, the sinus surgery aspect of the operation is almost certainly to blame.

Discuss your concerns with your surgeon, and I am sure they will put your mind at ease.

It is not likely that contemporary rhinoplasty correctly performed would cause blindness. Hope this helps.

Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure, andfor over 35 years, we have never heard of or seen either one of these two complications. Since rhinoplasty is a very difficult procedure to perform correctly, choose your specialist wisely based on extensive experience. Study your perspective surgeon's rhinoplasty photo gallery and make sure the before and afters look very natural

It’s true that the nose is fairly close to the brain.
Venus blood from the nose communicates with Venus blood in Tran, and therefore certain complications around the nose can cause brain issues.
My grandfather died of sepsis because of a pimple that became an infection in his nose.
This was around 1940 in Scandinavia.
They didn’t have access to antibiotics which most likely would’ve saved him.
What’s your mother describes is a bizarre and highly unusual outcome from elective rhinoplasty surgery.
There have been people struck by airplanes and lightning.
That shouldn’t stop you from going outside.
When we look at complications, we typically need to add incidents not just look at worst outcome.
The worst possible outcome from any surgery is always death.
The chance of a complication needs to be taken into consideration in order for it to have significance.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD