Will upper eyelid surgery affect my dry eyes?

Blepharoplasty in patients with dry eye syndrome

Any type of surgery on the eyelids of patients with dry eye syndrome can
worsen the condition. Nevertheless, in a very motivated patient some type of
improvement in eyelid appearance can be done. First, the dry eye condition has
to be addressed and treated with all the available modalities. Then a very
specific surgical plan can be discussed to improve the appearance of the eyes.
Depending on specific anatomic presentation this can include – removing the fat,
adding some fat, defining the upper lid crease, removing some skin, skin
resurfacing etc. Seek out a very experienced and talented surgeon to analyze
your particular case.

In our practice, we do not offer upper blepharoplasty to patients with chronic dry-eye. Your upper eyelids function to spread the tear film over your eyes. Ensuing scar tissue after a conservative blepharoplasty could worsen the function of your upper eyelids and exacerbate your dry-eye condition.Hope this helps you.Dr. Joseph

If you have a preexisting dry eye, even just swelling from the upper blepharoplasty will make your dry symptoms worse.  This typically improved after 6 weeks.  Depending on the severity of your dry eye, it might be appropriate to have a skin only upper blepharoplasty that does not violate the orbicularis oculi muscle or perhaps avoid upper eyelid surgery all together.  Cutting skin and the orbicularis oculi muscle will cause some degree of upper eyelid closure weakness that is often permanent.  This may not be a problem for someone with mild dry eye but is can be a profound problems for someone with significant dry eye.  I would recommend assessment by a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon and a frank discussion of your dry eye status.

Conservative upper blepharoplasty should not affect existing dry eyes. If done aggressively where the eye closure/blinking function is affected, then it can make dry eyes worse.

Upper eyelid surgery can affect dry eyes if too much skin is removed. See a very experienced facial surgeon for the best results and to prevent this.

 It really depends on the degree of dryness as to whether or not you may become more symptomatic after the upper lid surgery. It's important not to remove any muscle on the upper lids and possibly do a Conservative skin only removal to help try to prevent dry eyes. Making dry eyes more dry is certainly a possibility. There are ophthalmologic drops available as well as punctal plugs to help with the dry eye symptoms before or after a blepharoplasty

Yes it can make dry eyes worse especially if the upper eyelid surgery includes a brow lift or involves aggressive skin removal   Please discuss your dry eye problem and your concerns with your surgeon Preoperatively.  Best of luck to you.