Complication after eyelid surgery: allergic reaction and eyes very irritated.

Question

Had upper eyelid surgery September 26 was on clindomycin for five days, and bacitracin optical ointment to put in eyes and on lids seemed to have an allergic reaction eyes very irritated. I stopped using it after seven days and felt better Dr removed the rest today, gave me script for neo/poly/Dexter for lids they now look red swollen and bumpy what should I do?

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

About 10% of people now have allergies to the ointments you are using - Bacitracin and Neomycin.  I would just stop the ointments at this point.  If red and itchy I would ask your doctor to give you just a steroid cream/ointment with no antibiotics.  Infections in the lids are very rare, so the antibiotic not needed.

Adam Goodwin, MBBS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

this could be either allergy or simply lid swelling post surgery which happens to almost every patient in my experience. the lids become swollen and so can't sweep away tears as effectively. The eyes become dry and irritated despite too any tears and it can be very uncomfortable and unsightly. Keep using eyedrops day and night and this should settle but may take days or even weeks. Hope that helps, Adam Goodwin

Jessica Kulak, MD · Answer

A reaction to the an antibiotic ointment can be to the medication or the base of the ointment. You should followup with your surgeon for medication recommendations and specifics on post operative care.  The eyelids typically heal very well and the incision will go through a lot of improvements over the next few months.

Complication after eyelid surgery: allergic reaction and eyes very irritated.

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Complication after eyelid surgery: allergic reaction and eyes very irritated.

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Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

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