Double eyelid and lasik eye surgery.

Question

Im in my 20s, short sighted with astigmatism since i was young and Im thinking of doing lasik in the beginning of 2015 but I also want to do double eyelid (already have eyelids but want it bigger) and I wonder if 1 month between the two surgeries are safe. The downtime for lasik is shorter than double eyelids. How long do I have to wait between the two surgeries? Which one should I do first? When can i swim and do sports? Thanks

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Lasik causes dry eye and double fold surgery causes dry eye.  I strongly advise you to prioritize what you are interested in.  Lasik cuts the sensory nerves to the corneal surface.  They grow back but not with the same density as before.  This appears to contribute to long term dry eye.  Double fold surgery weakens the blink mechanism.  This improved with time for many but also contributes to long term dry eye.  Safest advice is to be carefully assess by ethical surgeons.  You unique circumstance may dictate which of these to do first.  I would advise waiting 6 to 12 months before considering the second procedure to make sure you do not have a long term dry eye problems.

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS · Answer

Interesting question.  Lasik surgery can slightly stretch the eyelids and cause temporary dry eyes.  Double eyelid surgery can also cause temporary dry eyes.  Some doctors put eye shields in the eyes when doing the double eyelid surgery in which case waiting several months makes sense to not disrupt the flap.  We have many patients who do both procedures (since there are specialists for both in our practice) and most have the double eyelid surgery first, make sure that the eyes aren't too dry for lasik, and a month later, one the swelling has gone down can usually have lasik.  If your eyes are very small the sometimes the lid is lifted a bit making the lasik procedure easier for the lasik surgeon (if the eyes are very small there is a lot of stretching needed to get the device onto the cornea).  Seek out experienced surgeons for your procedure and follow their advice.Best of luck!

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

As other plastic surgeons have stated, it's best to give sufficient time between cosmetic eyelid surgery and your LASIK procedure. Most plastic surgeons would recommend waiting at least 6 months, or longer, between the procedures. If you haven't already, then speak with a plastic surgeon to examine you and review options with you in person.Best,Dr. Chaboki

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Both Lasik and eyellid procedures run the risk of dry eyes afterwards. Thus one month between is not remotely long enough. A minimum of six months time between them, or even longer, would be safer. Which one you do first is a matter of your priority but space them far apart whichever the order is.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

You should treat your functional issue first and give adequate time for healing between the procedures. One month is a very short time period. You can always do the double fold surgery later. Discuss these issues with your surgeons and don't rush into anything.

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