What Are the Side Effects of Eyelid Surgery?

Plastic surgery is common these days, especially smaller procedures like an eye lift. However, having surgery done on your eyes can come with certain risks. The most common eye procedure is called a blepharoplasty, which involves removing excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids to create a brighter, more awake appearance. While most people who undergo this operation are pleased with the results, some may experience negative side effects.

Irritation

• Following eyelid surgery, the first thing you may notice is irritation around the treatment area. Small milia, or whiteheads, can appear near the incision and your eyes are likely to itch, burn and feel dry. Your vision might be blurred for a few days as well, though if this persists you should notify your doctor.

Sensation Changes

• Any surgery runs the risk of damaging nerves. The eye area is very sensitive, so surgery can cause your sensations to change. You might feel numbness or tingling near your eyes or your eyes may feel cold. Your eyes also may itch severely. Usually, sensation changes go away once your incisions heal, but there is the risk of the changes being permanent, so be prepared for the possibility of sensation changes before you go under the knife.

Ectropion

• Another potential side effect of eyelid surgery is ectropion. This is a relatively rare side effect that causes the lower eyelid to droop downward. It often looks like the skin is being pulled down, though there is no external pressure. Unfortunately, this is a permanent side effect and would likely need additional surgery to repair.

Bleeding

• Excessive bleeding is a potential side effect for those that have undergone eyelid surgery. The incision could bleed outwardly at an accelerated pace, especially if you have a clotting disorder or anemia. However, another condition can also develop called retrobulbar hematoma, which involves the build up of blood behind the eye. Blurry vision or blindness could develop as a result, though this is very rare.

Scarring

• Unfortunately, some people who receive eyelid surgery end up with scarring. The scars typically show up at the incision site. For the most part, any visible scarring will fade with time, but if you develop an infection following eyelid surgery, there is an increased chance of a larger, more pronounced scar.