66 Year Old Male Seeking Eyelid Surgery to Get Rid of That "Sleepy" Look - Savannah, GA

I had Blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery, to remove excess skin and fat from my upper and lower eyelids to get rid of the puffiness. The upper eyelid surgery went well, but the lower surgery caused chemosis, commonly known as dry eye, to develop. While I learned that this can be expected, mine has never receded for nine months. After seeing two ophthalmologists, it was diagnosed that I have permanent chronic chemosis, especially in the right eye.

I've learned that this is rare, but can occur from over aggressive surgery that damages the underlying blood vessels and compromises drainage to lymph nodes located in front of the ears. I've had several temporary tarsorrhaphy procedures of the eyelid, suturing of the upper and lower eyelid together, to help cover the eye and give the chemosis a chance to dissipate. After 8 months, this procedure has been ineffective.

This past week, I underwent a permanent tarsorrhaphy that was performed under general anesthesia where the surgeon cuts skin from the upper and lower eyelid and sutures the skin together to heal as one piece. When the healing is complete, this gives a permanent closure of the eyelid to help cover the chemosis, it doesn't heal it. My eyes are now about 20 percent closed from their original shape and size, but at least I don't have to explain to everyone what is wrong with my eyes.

My suggestion to help you to prevent this aliment, is to perform your due diligence on your plastic surgeon and ask questions about their experience and successes and failures.