How Long Will Blepharoplasty Scars and Area Be Numb?

Numbness usually subsides within a few months. The dry eye issue is a complex one. It depends on patients pre-existing dry eye symptoms, amount of eyelid skin +/- underlying muscle excision. This can effect not only if the patient can fully close their eyes, but also the strength of the blink during normal conditions.

Most cases of post-operative dry eye will resolve as the patient adapts to a more open eyelid, as well as scar maturation occurs and eyelid closure improves. This can take at least 3 months and can improve to up to a year after surgery.

Time is on your side.

AJ Amadi, MD FACS

It can take a few months for numbness to go away and your original sensation to return. You’ll also have to wait a few weeks for the dry eye issue to go away. Eyedrops can help.

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure. The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Numbness around the incisions is normal following blepharoplasty and will take a few months to resolve.  Some mild numbness (incisional numbness) when you run your fingers over the scars can persist up to a year or permanently.   Mild dry eye should also be expected following upper and lower blepharoplasty but will improve in a few months as your blink strengthens.  Use natural tears to soothe your eyes in the meantime.   Your surgeon may have discussed these aspects of recovery with you as they are entirely expected.   

Numbness after blepharoplasty will take a few months to go away. I have never had a patient with this being permanent in 35 years of blepharoplasty.

Dry eye is relatively common after eyelid surgery and can persist for a period of time after surgery, often two months but occasionally longer.  Talk with your surgeon about your concerns and also consider seeing your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) about your symptoms.  Treatment is usually in the form of artificial tears and ointment at bedtime when indicated.