Lower Eyelid Surgery

Surgical Procedure : For traditional lower lid blepharoplasty: An incision is made just beneath the lash line. Excess fat, muscle and skin are removed. Fine sutures are used to close the incision. Permanent stitches will be removed 3-5 days after the procedure. If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids, but do not need to have any loose skin removed, your surgeon may recommend a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with fatty lower eyelids. Transconjunctival blepharoplasty does not tighten the skin, reduces the puffiness in the lower eyelid region.

Duration of Operation : around one hour.

Risks and Complications :

- Lagging of the eyelid is the abnormal position of the lower eyelid after surgery because of poor function of eyelid before surgery. This can be reduced by excercise eyelid muscle before surgery.

- Retrobulbar hematoma - (bleeding behind the eye) - rare, but can be serious. Symptoms include loss of vision.

- Temporary problems with excessive tearing.

- Decreased sensation in the eyelid.

- Dry eyes - dryness, burning, stinging, gritty sensation in your eye(s).

- Prominence or firmness of the scars.

- Blurred vision asymmetry in healing or scarring.

- Milia or whiteheads where the sutures emanate from the skin.

- Difficulty closing eyes completely; in rare cases, this condition may be permanent.

Post Operative Care

- Cold compression should apply after surgery for the first few hours.

- Postoperative check-up at the Institute on a follow up appointment.

After Care : The first evening after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. It will help to apply cold compresses to your eyelids. (Avoid any compress heavier than one ounce. A Ziploc bag with a few frozen peas works well.) Your blood pressure should be monitored to avoid bleeding complications that can affect vision. And, although you can be up almost immediately, you should limit your activities.

Recovery :

- At first the incisions will probably be red and somewhat bumpy. Eventually, the resulting scar should become flat and inconspicuous. Your sutures (stitches) will be removed sometime within the first week.

- The swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you'll start to look and feel better each day. Swelling and bruising varies considerably from person to person. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Within the first week you will be permitted to use makeup, if desired, to conceal any discoloration.

- Your vision may continue to be somewhat blurry for a few days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light, and you may experience excess tearing or dryness. You may receive eyedrops to help relieve any burning or itching.