Are you considering eyelid surgery but have some concerns? Find out about potential post-procedure complications. Learn whether blepharoplasty is safe for your eye health before making an appointment with a specialist.
Is blepharoplasty a safe procedure?
Yes, properly performed blepharoplasty has a high safety profile. Much depends on the doctor performing the procedure. Therefore, remember to do your research and place yourself in the hands of a truly experienced and qualified ophthalmic surgeon. Before seeking help from a particular specialist, check whether they have positive reviews from former patients and make sure they regularly expand their current medical knowledge by participating in training courses, conferences, and similar events. Pay attention to whether the ophthalmology clinic is clean and how the staff treats you; ask whether the offices are equipped with modern equipment. All these elements are important and should be taken into account when choosing the place where you will have your eyelids corrected.
How does blepharoplasty affect eye health? Indications for the procedure
Lower eyelid surgery is usually performed when fat herniation under the eyes occurs (the so-called bags under the eyes). It is worth emphasizing, however, that removing excess skin and fatty tissue may have various underlying causes. Blepharoplasty is not always performed for purely aesthetic reasons.
Medical reasons are often an indication for the procedure. For example, drooping of the upper eyelid restricts the patient's field of vision. Skillful removal of excess skin by a doctor solves this problem. Untreated upper eyelid drooping contributes to the development of vision defects—mainly in children—and often causes headaches and neck pain, as well as fatigue of the forehead and neck muscles, reducing the daily comfort of the person affected. Therefore, if you are struggling with skin laxity in this area and your pupil is partially covered, do not delay consulting an ophthalmologist.
What can cause skin laxity around the eyelids?
A decline in the quality of the eyelid skin may result from an unhealthy lifestyle and stimulants, particularly cigarette smoking. Genetic factors and individual anatomical features also play an important role (a drooping eyelid is a problem that affects not only mature people but also younger individuals). Other possible causes of deterioration in the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids include:
- myasthenia,
- cancer,
- muscular dystrophy,
- eyelid strain caused by scars,
- chronic progressive ophthalmoplegia,
- age-related muscle weakness,
- incorrect injection of a Botox preparation,
- nerve damage around the eye,
- acquired and congenital ptosis.
What are the possible complications after blepharoplasty? Contraindications to the procedure
Before undergoing eyelid surgery, you need to know what potential post-procedure complications may occur. The most common include:
- hematomas,
- swelling,
- bruising,
- scarring,
- dry eye syndrome.
In rare cases, inflammation of the orbital tissues, eyelid hypersensitivity, asymmetry, or incomplete eyelid closure may occur. A serious complication caused by removing excess skin is lower eyelid eversion, a condition that promotes inflammation and corneal drying.
As for contraindications to the procedure, the main factors ruling out the possibility of upper/lower eyelid correction include:
- dry eye syndrome,
- glaucoma,
- serious mental disorders,
- active infections (e.g., herpes),
- conjunctivitis and other active inflammatory conditions around the eyes,
- thyroid eye disease,
- a tendency to form keloids,
- uncontrolled arterial hypertension,
- untreated chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes),
- pregnancy and breastfeeding,
- unrealistic patient expectations regarding the results of the procedure.
Sources:
[dostęp: 21.06.2025 r.]https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/okulistyka/chorobyoczu/chorobypowiekiukladulzowego/85466,opadniecie-powieki-ptoza
https://www.mp.pl/pacjent/okulistyka/chorobyoczu/chorobyoczodolu/129133,orbitopatia-tarczycowa