Your eyes are often the first thing people notice about you and are an important aspect of your overall appearance. As we age, the tone and shape of our eyelids can loosen and sag. Heredity and sun exposure also contribute to this process. This excess, puffy or lax skin can make you appear more tired or older. An oculoplastic procedure is a type of surgery done around the eyes. One may have this procedure to correct a medical condition or for cosmetic purposes.

Oculoplastic Procedures

Surgical Treatments

  • Brow Lift
  • Dermatochalasis
  • Eyelid Papilloma
  • Eyelid Retraction
  • Lower Eyelid Surgery
  • Neck Lift
  • Revision Eyelid Surgery
  • Tear Duct Obstruction

Non-Surgical Treatments

  • Trachiasis
  • Blepharospasm

Cosmetic Treatments

Botox
Juvéderm

Risk of Surgery

Possible risks of eyelid surgery include:

  • Infection and bleeding
  • Dry, irritated eyes
  • Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems
  • Noticeable scarring
  • Injury to eye muscles
  • Skin discoloration
  • The need for a follow-up surgery
  • Temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight
  • Risks associated with surgery in general, including reaction to anesthesia and blood clots

Talk to your doctor about how surgical risks apply to you. Understanding what's involved in blepharoplasty and weighing the benefits and risks can help you decide if this procedure is a good option.

Preoperative Care

For most procedures, you will be able to go home the same day you have surgery. Your procedure may take place in a hospital, an outpatient facility, or the provider's office.

Depending on your surgery, you may have local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs the surgical area so you do not feel any pain. General anesthesia puts you to sleep during surgery.

During the procedure, your surgeon may place special contact lenses on your eyes. These lenses help protect your eyes and shield them from the bright lights of the surgical room.

Do not wear any eye makeup or artificial eyelashes on the eye to be operated on for 1 week prior to surgery.

Please let your doctors know if you are taking any medicines for diabetes or high blood pressure (especially angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers). Your doctors may want you to hold these 24 hours before surgery.

Please let your doctors know if you have a pacemaker.

Do not eat or drink anything at least 6 hours before your check-in time for surgery. This means no coffee, milk, or unnecessary water. You can take tiny sips of water with your pills.

Postoperative care

You will most likely be able to go home or to a hotel after your surgery is done. You will need someone to take you home or to a hotel after your surgery.

You may have some pain, bruising, or swelling after surgery. Place cold packs over the area to reduce swelling and bruising. To protect your eyes and skin, wrap the cold pack in a towel before applying it.

You may need to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure for about 3 weeks. This includes things such as exercise and lifting heavy objects. Your provider will tell you when it is safe to begin these activities again. It is ok to shower after surgery but avoid getting tap water in the area that had surgery.

In most cases, you will see an eye doctor for postoperative visits one day, one week, and 4-6 weeks after your surgery, depending on your eye doctor. Some eye doctors forgo the one week visit.

If you develop severe eye pain or severe vision decrease after surgery, please call or see your eye doctor immediately. The phone number for the Loma Linda University Eye Institute is 909-558-EYES or 909-558-4000.