Surgery can perk up your eyes, but there are risks involved.
Sad, droopy eyes are cute--if you're a Basset hound. If you're a human, droopy eyes can age the face, making you look tired and sad. Blepharoplasty, or eye lift surgery, can change the appearance of the eyes, taking excess skin, muscle or fat from the upper or lower eyelids, to effectively reshape the eyes. As with all surgery, eye lift surgery poses risks, and you should consider these risks carefully before electing to undertake this procedure.
Double Vision
If the surgeon injures the muscles around the eyeball or scarring occurs around those muscles, it can result in double vision. Though you can usually correct double vision through additional surgery, in some cases, it can be permanent.
Infection
Infection is a risk with any surgery, but the area around the eye generally has good blood circulation, making infections less likely from an eye lift.
Cysts
Small white cysts may form along the suture line. These generally go away on their own, but in some cases they may require additional surgery to correct.
Eyes Won't Shut
After an eye lift, it is possible your eyes may not close properly when you sleep. It is difficult or sometimes impossible to correct and you may need to wear an eye patch while you sleep. This is considered a rare but serious complication of eye lift surgery.
Dry Eye
Eye lift surgery may cause the muscles around the eye to grow weak or stiff, resulting in a condition known as "dry eye." To avoid this risk will require some physical therapy following surgery. Your doctor should instruct you on the post-operative exercises you will need to do in order to help prevent dry eye.
Asymmetry
Dr. Frank Meronk, ophthalmologist and surgeon, writes, "Eyelids that look good individually may not match as a pair." Studies show that humans are hard-wired to find facial symmetry attractive (See Resources). For this reason, eyes that are asymmetrical may stand out as unattractive. You can usually correct asymmetry, but it requires additional surgery.
Other Considerations
If you have thyroid problems, Graves disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes, eye lift surgery is probably not advised. It is vital to let your doctor know about any medical conditions you may have during your initial consultation.
Warning
Additional risks associated with eye lift surgery include blurred vision, numbness, scarring and bleeding. Dr. Meronk says, "Despite what you may read or hear from friends or even medical personnel, problems following eyelid surgery, while uncommon, are not 'one in a million' events."
