Risks of Blepharoplasty Surgery – Eyelid Surgery Risks

TYPE 1: AESTHETIC RISKS AFTER EYELID SURGERY

Any surgical procedure comes with some degree of risk, and eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty, is no exception. Some of these risks are primarily aesthetic, meaning they can impact the appearance of your eyelids post-surgery. Let’s delve deeper into what these could include:

1. Asymmetry: There’s a risk that your eyelids might appear uneven after the surgery. It’s important to note that some degree of asymmetry is natural and can even exist before the surgery. Nevertheless, marked asymmetry can be rectified through surgical or non-surgical means.
2. Scarring: All surgical procedures leave some form of scar. In the case of eyelid surgery, these are often thin and concealed in the creases of your eyelids when your eyes are open. However, the visibility of these scars can vary among individuals.
3. Hollowing: Especially in the case of lower eyelid surgery, there’s a chance that too much tissue could be removed, leading to a “hollow” appearance. Techniques like fat transfer or redistribution can help combat this.
4. Other cosmetic risks: These could range from dissatisfaction with the results to changes in the appearance of your eyelids that you weren’t expecting.

Our skilled blepharoplasty surgeons at the Centre for Surgery will thoroughly discuss these risks with you before you decide to proceed with the surgery. We believe that making an informed decision is paramount.

TYPE 2: FUNCTIONAL RISKS AFTER EYELID SURGERY

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can also bring about some functional risks. These are complications that can potentially affect how your eyes or eyelids operate. Here are some examples:

1. Difficulty closing eyes: If an excessive amount of skin is taken away during the surgery, it can potentially cause problems in fully closing your eyes, especially during sleep. This could lead to dry eyes, frequent irritation, and discomfort. You might also need to regularly use lubricating eye drops to mitigate this.
2. Double vision: Although extremely rare, lower blepharoplasty could potentially impact the muscles that align your eyes, causing “double vision.” While this can usually be corrected, it can be quite inconvenient and unsettling.
3. Impact on tear ducts: The surgical procedure might inadvertently affect your tear ducts, leading to complications like dry eyes.

TYPE 3: MEDICAL RISKS OF EYELID SURGERY

While eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is usually safe, like any other surgical procedure, it does carry a few general risks. These can include the possibility of infection or complications related to the anaesthesia used.

1. Anaesthetic risks: Upper eyelid surgery does not typically require general anaesthesia, which does eliminate some risks associated with it. However, local anaesthesia is used, and there can be potential risks such as allergic reactions. It’s essential to discuss your medical history and any known allergies with your surgeon and anaesthesiologist before the procedure.
2. Potential complications from excessive tissue removal: Adopting a conservative approach, careful pre-operative planning, and relying on an experienced surgeon can help reduce potential risks, including those related to removing excessive tissue, dry eye syndrome, and other complications.
3. Infection: It is rather uncommon for infections to occur after eyelid surgery, mainly because the area around the eye has a rich blood supply. This blood supply helps deliver all the necessary nutrients to the eyelid area, aiding the body’s ability to fight off infections and heal quickly. However, there is always a slight risk of infection following any surgical procedure.
4. Complications from smoking: If you’re a smoker, it’s highly advisable to quit well before the procedure. Smoking can impair healing and increase the risk of complications.