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Cosmetic Eye Surgery Complications

Cosmetic eye surgery can repair eyelids that sag as a result of either a disease or as a natural part of the aging process. The average patient who undergoes the procedure is pleased with his appearance afterward. Before deciding if it is right for you, you need to discuss potential complications with your doctor.

  1. The Facts

    • Most cosmetic eye surgeries focus on lifting drooping eyelids. The procedure is usually performed in a doctor's office or an outpatient center. You will be awake while your surgeon performs the surgery. She will give you medication to prevent you from feeling pain or anxiety. She then makes small incisions into the natural creases of your eyelids and removes loose skin or excess fatty tissue. This will tighten the muscles of the eyelids. After she is finished, she will stitch up the incisions. You can usually go home the same day. Cosmetic eye surgery does carry the risk of complications.

    Surgical Risks

    • There are potential complications common to all surgical procedures. You could experience a reaction to the anesthesia used to numb the area around your eyes. This could cause suppressed breathing or a dangerous drop in your blood pressure, per Medline Plus. You could also experience uncontrolled bleeding from incision sites during or after cosmetic eye surgery. You might also develop an infection while recovering.

    Eye Surgery Complications

    • Some complications are unique to cosmetic eye surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The sutures used to close your incisions could surface through the skin, which can be painful and unsightly. Your vision could be temporarily blurred. You could also experience difficulty completely closing your eyes. Your eyelids might begin to roll outward, or as they heal, their position could look unnatural. You might also experience looseness or bagging in your lower lids.

    Treatments

    • If you experience complications after undergoing cosmetic eye surgery, alert your doctor immediately. For bleeding, she can stitch the incisions closed again. Infection can be treated with antibiotics; sutures can also be removed and redone if they surface. Most vision trouble will fade on its own over time. For trouble with eyelid position or rolling outward, your surgeon can perform a second corrective surgery to fix the problem. If you experience shortness of breath or chest pains, contact your doctor immediately.

    Risk Factors

    • Before undergoing cosmetic eye surgery, you should discuss risk factors with your doctor so you know if you have an increased chance of experiencing complications. If you have diabetes, you could be at an increased risk to develop an infection. High blood pressure and circulatory disorders can interfere with the healing processes. If you have issues with dry eye or insufficient tear production, you might be at increased risk for complications, per Medline Plus.

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