I had a blepharoplasty and I have an ectropion in left eye now. Is it likely to recover itself?

Question

I had an blepharoplasty 4 weeks ago. The doctor cut too much skin out of my left eyelid and the incision is right on the eyelash line. I now have an ectropion in my left eye. Will it recover after a few months? Is my eye disfigured? Can the ectropion be cured?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Sometimes surgery is necessary before the eyelid resolves on its own because people can not be patient while the eyelid heals on its own.However, this is not ectropion.  Ectropion specifically refers to a situation where the lid margin does not sit against the eye but is pulled off the eye surface.  Here the eyelid does sit against the eye surface.  However, the eyelid rides low on the eye surface.  It is often called an ectropion by surgeons who are not primarily trained in oculoplastic surgery.  This is horizontal and vertical inadequacy of the lower eyelid due to scar and motor nerve injury.  This is often called an ectropion but it does not respond to the surgical repairs normally performed for ectropion. My best advice is to follow your surgeon's directions.  They may have you massage the eyelid, they may inject the eyelid with steroids or 5FU.  These often improve the eyelid enough for many patients to be satisfied with the results.   Please consider posting your progress here.

A.J. Amadi, MD · Answer

At 4 weeks, it is too early to be able to determine whether you will require additional surgery. As mentioned by others, massage of the eyelid might be helpful. Your surgeon may also recommend steroid or 5 FU injection in hopes of modulating the scar further. I would recommend at least 6 months before considering further surgery. Early surgery may be less effective, or sometimes unnecessary. You may want to get a second opinion from an Oculoplastic surgeon in a few months. Good luck

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

The best answer to your question at this early point in recovery is "time will tell".  You should give it at least 3 months for the eyelid to heal before considering revisional surgery which would possibly be ectropion surgery with skin graft.  In the meantime, do eye squinting exercises and lubricate the eye.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

In the picture where you are looking up the lid looks low.  In the other one, it looks like it is almost even with the other one.  So the ectropion is not bad.  I would recommend warm compresses, and massage the lid up.  YOur surgeon can also inject some kenalog with 5-FU to soften any scar bands which may be pulling the lid down.  You should do fine.  The incision is usually done in the crease directly below the lashes so it is hidden post-op

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

healing after blepharoplasty: #ectropioncomplete healing of the lower eyelids can take
six weeks if the muscle and fat are treated. Ectropion can be improved with massage. taping , stretching and the use of 5fu injections to soften the tissue.

I had a blepharoplasty and I have an ectropion in left eye now. Is it likely to recover itself?

Answers (7)

Answer: Post op ectropion

Answer: Post op ectropion

Answer: Healing after blepharoplasty: #ectropion

Answer: Healing after blepharoplasty: #ectropion

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I had a blepharoplasty and I have an ectropion in left eye now. Is it likely to recover itself?

Answers (7)

Answer: Post op ectropion

Answer: Post op ectropion

Answer: Healing after blepharoplasty: #ectropion

Answer: Healing after blepharoplasty: #ectropion

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.