I have lagophthalmos 6 weeks after upper & lower (transcutaneous) bleph. I’m in contact with my oculoplastic surgeon (she’s been great), but I’d love additional information/opinions as this is very concerning to me. I can fully close my eyes with a firm, voluntary blink. However, my natural, “involuntary” blink is only partial, and I am unable to keep my eyes fully closed during sleep. Questions: Likely causes? Treatments? Likely to recover w/o surgical intervention? What is expected duration?
Answer: Lagophthalmos after Blepharoplasty This condition can occur with over aggressive surgery and may require further surgery to be fixed. I usually leave at least 18 mm of skin between the edge of the eyelid and start of the eyebrow to avoid lagophthalmos after blepharoplasty. As most oculoplastic surgeons know, any less than this can lead to temporary (if not permanent) problems with eyelid closure. Consistent lubrication - especially at night - can help to keep the eyes safe and comfortable. Usually, the skin will stretch with time to help with closure, but occasionally skin grafting is necessary to make up for the deficit. Your surgeon should be able to check the health of your eyes and make sure you are headed in the right direction. Wish you a speedy recovery!
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Answer: Lagophthalmos after Blepharoplasty This condition can occur with over aggressive surgery and may require further surgery to be fixed. I usually leave at least 18 mm of skin between the edge of the eyelid and start of the eyebrow to avoid lagophthalmos after blepharoplasty. As most oculoplastic surgeons know, any less than this can lead to temporary (if not permanent) problems with eyelid closure. Consistent lubrication - especially at night - can help to keep the eyes safe and comfortable. Usually, the skin will stretch with time to help with closure, but occasionally skin grafting is necessary to make up for the deficit. Your surgeon should be able to check the health of your eyes and make sure you are headed in the right direction. Wish you a speedy recovery!
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January 30, 2015
Answer: It very much will depend on you patience and what you are willing to tolerate. I suspect that the lower eyelid will remain somewhat pulled down. The upper eyelid issue can be from motor injury affecting the blink. This is common after upper blepharoplasty and many of these do recover with time. Generally the combination of lower and upper eyelid compromise will produce a symptomatic dry eye. The severity of this issue often dictates what needs to be done regarding the need for revision surgery. I would recommend that you are closely followed by your surgeon to make sure the cornea is tolerating this situation.
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January 30, 2015
Answer: It very much will depend on you patience and what you are willing to tolerate. I suspect that the lower eyelid will remain somewhat pulled down. The upper eyelid issue can be from motor injury affecting the blink. This is common after upper blepharoplasty and many of these do recover with time. Generally the combination of lower and upper eyelid compromise will produce a symptomatic dry eye. The severity of this issue often dictates what needs to be done regarding the need for revision surgery. I would recommend that you are closely followed by your surgeon to make sure the cornea is tolerating this situation.
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June 9, 2016
Answer: Inability to totally close eyes may persist for weeks after upper and lower lid blepharoplasty. The appearance of your eyes is not unusual considering when you're blepharoplasty was done. General traction on the lower lids and a cephalad direction can be used for physical therapy To help position of the lower lid. It's doubtful you will need revisionsurgery when you're totally healed.
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June 9, 2016
Answer: Inability to totally close eyes may persist for weeks after upper and lower lid blepharoplasty. The appearance of your eyes is not unusual considering when you're blepharoplasty was done. General traction on the lower lids and a cephalad direction can be used for physical therapy To help position of the lower lid. It's doubtful you will need revisionsurgery when you're totally healed.
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January 21, 2015
Answer: Lagopthalmous This condition can occur with surgery and can require surgical intervention. However prior to surgical intervention, a number of conservative measures can be tried. First, the eye should be protected from dryness with lubricating and moisturizing drops, next the eye should be protected at night with taping, or a moisture chamber. Early massage can help. One can perform this with an upward motion on the lower lid. Essentially the goal is to stretch and soften the lower lid. The technique entails putting some upward pressure with two or three finger on the skin of the lower lid, below the lashes and holding it upward with gentle pressure for 10 to 15 seconds. Patients can do 10 to 15 reps several times per day. A temporary tarsorraphy can also help patients with this condition, this is a removable suture placed in the corner of the eye to suspend the lower lid and narrow the lid opening. Time may also help, but worsening would indicate that earlier surgical intervention is needed. Typically this condition is more commonly caused by shortening and scarring in the lower lid rather than in the upper. Continue see your surgeon. Your case will need careful, regular follow up to ensure resolution. While your description and photos help, only a physician who can exam you and get a detailed history can make a proper recommendation for your particular case.
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January 21, 2015
Answer: Lagopthalmous This condition can occur with surgery and can require surgical intervention. However prior to surgical intervention, a number of conservative measures can be tried. First, the eye should be protected from dryness with lubricating and moisturizing drops, next the eye should be protected at night with taping, or a moisture chamber. Early massage can help. One can perform this with an upward motion on the lower lid. Essentially the goal is to stretch and soften the lower lid. The technique entails putting some upward pressure with two or three finger on the skin of the lower lid, below the lashes and holding it upward with gentle pressure for 10 to 15 seconds. Patients can do 10 to 15 reps several times per day. A temporary tarsorraphy can also help patients with this condition, this is a removable suture placed in the corner of the eye to suspend the lower lid and narrow the lid opening. Time may also help, but worsening would indicate that earlier surgical intervention is needed. Typically this condition is more commonly caused by shortening and scarring in the lower lid rather than in the upper. Continue see your surgeon. Your case will need careful, regular follow up to ensure resolution. While your description and photos help, only a physician who can exam you and get a detailed history can make a proper recommendation for your particular case.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
Answer: AnonBleph ! Hi Anon ! From my personal point of view, the healing problems, ( lagoftalmos, blink, eyelid retraction etc . ) after surgery of the eyelids, improve in amazing way after a few weeks only with masagge, with your fingertip pull up the corner of your eyelid, without giving pressure on the eyeball, just in the skin. Ask your Doctor if this kind of maneuver can help you, and the proper way to do, in you will see an big improvement after a few weeks, leaves the secondary surgery for the very last option . Get well and good look.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
Answer: AnonBleph ! Hi Anon ! From my personal point of view, the healing problems, ( lagoftalmos, blink, eyelid retraction etc . ) after surgery of the eyelids, improve in amazing way after a few weeks only with masagge, with your fingertip pull up the corner of your eyelid, without giving pressure on the eyeball, just in the skin. Ask your Doctor if this kind of maneuver can help you, and the proper way to do, in you will see an big improvement after a few weeks, leaves the secondary surgery for the very last option . Get well and good look.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
