Cannot Blink After Facelift

The Frontal Branch (also called Temporal Branch) and Zygomatic Branches of the Facial Nerve can be injured during a Facelift. These two nerve branches can provide innervation to the Orbicularis Muscles which are responsible for eye blinking.

Because there are multiple branches supplying the blinking muscles it is very unusual that all branches are injured and thus very unusual that eye blinking is disturbed.

Fortunately, because of this dual innervation, eye blinking difficulty after Facelift is usually temporary as other nerve branches can take over this function.

It is important to see your doctor. Eye blinking is necessary to prevent your eye from becoming too dry. He/she will likely prescribe a moisturizing ointment to keep the eye moist during recovery. This is very important. If function does not recover, there are procedures designed to help close the lid to keep the eye moist.

Inability to blink after Facelift is not a common or normal occurrence after Facelift.  The branches of the facial nerve responsible for blinking innervate the muscle in a very deep plane very close to the nose. Therefore, I am puzzled as to what happened. My recommendation is that you return to see your Surgeon for recommendations, reassurance, and possible solutions.