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LASIK per se is not the cause of sagging eyelids but having LASIK might be. How can this be so? It is because for LASIK there is a lid clamp that opens the eyes widely and it can stretch the lids in a way to cause ptosis or droopy eyelids although this is a rare complication.This is one more reason why I like the all laser method of doing LASIK. In particular we are using the newest Zeiss techology called VisuMax which only requires a very slight opening of the eyelids to accomplish the first step of making the flap. The Intralase is also better than the blade method concerning the risk of ptosis, but not as safe as the VisuMax. The LASIK or reshaping of the eye itself cannot cause any damage to the eyelids and thus no droopy lid. If the eyes are irritated temporarily after lasik or if there is some light sensitivity then there can be some squinting, but this not what you seem to be talking about.
I have never seen this and cannot think of a scenario where this would happen. There are some reports of steroid eyedrops causing a temporary relaxation in the eyelid muscle, which could lead to a slight lid lag. We do use steroid drops post LASIK for a brief time, but, again, I have not seen this as a side effect.
LASIK, and any other type of ocular surgery, CAN cause the eyelids to droop. This is a (rare) complication called ptosis. It is thought to be a possible side effect of the eyelid clamp used to keep the eye open. With cataract surgery (not LASIK), studies have shown a risk to be generally less than one percent. Note that hard and rigid contact lenses can also cause this.Ptosis is a change in position (a dropping) of the eyelid margin. If you are describing more skin and fat overhanging the lid margin, with no change in the lid margin position itself, you are describing a different condition called dermatochalasis. There is no known association between LASIK and dermatochalasis.The treatment for dermatochalasis is blepharoplasty, commonly known as an "eye lift." This is very different from ptosis repair, which will alter the position of the lid margin itself.
It is fine to fly two days after Lasik if you had your 1-2 days post op visit. Altitude or pressure changes would not affect surgery result. But you might need to use lubricating eye drops more often caused by dry air in the plane.
This very question brings up an issue that is commonly encountered by LASIK surgeons, which is the late enhancement request. Sometimes, patients after doing well for a number of years develop residual refractive error and request retreatment. This theoretically can be done by repeat LASIK with...
Mild blurred or fluctuating vision in one eye is not at all rare in the first few weeks following Laser Vision Correction(LVC). In my Maryland office we see post op LASIK and PRK patients on day one and then 2-3 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively, so we have ample time to hear about this and...
