Eyelid Revision Surgery

OVERVIEW:

While cosmetic eyelid surgery is largely successful in improving the appearance of your eyes and face, sometimes these procedures can yield sub-optimal results. Additional revision surgery is sometimes necessary to help you achieve your desired cosmetic appearance and restore normal health and function back to your eyes.

It is important to understand that eyelid revision surgery is generally more complex than the initial surgery. There may be certain limitations based upon your anatomy, health of your eyes, and the condition of your eyelid tissues. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Munroe will review all expectations with you.

Reasons for Eyelid Revision Surgery

There are several situations which may require revision after your initial eyelid surgery.

Scar Formation

While the eyelid skin typically heals very well after surgery, occasionally scars and bumps can form around the incision sites. Depending on the location and extent of the scar that you have, Dr. Munroe may recommend one of the following scar revision procedures:

• Surgical Excision
• Skin Grafts
• Flap Surgery
• Z-plasty

A successful outcome of scar revision depends on a number of factors, including the initial eye surgery, how quickly your body heals, the size and depth of the wound, blood supply, and the color of your skin.

Not Enough Tissue Removed (Under-Correction)

Eyelid surgery can sometimes fail to correct the initial issue by not removing enough tissue at the time of the procedure. After blepharoplasty, under-correction is usually caused by incomplete skin removal causing a “heavier” looking appearance to the eyelids. In patients that have undergone ptosis surgery, a persistently droopy eyelid is caused by insufficient tightening of the muscle that lifts the eyelid. In these cases, Dr. Munroe may recommend a combination of treatments in order to attain your best results.

Too Much Tissue Removed (Over-Correction)

When too much tissue is removed during eyelid surgery, several different problems can arise such as:

• Inability to close your eyes completely
• Excessive tearing or dryness
• A sunken, hollowed, or skeletonized appearance to your eyelids
• Incorrect eyelid position (turning in or out)

In addition to revision surgery, other procedures may be required including facial fillers, skin graft, and/or fat transfer in order to help achieve a significant improvement in your appearance.

Follow Up Care

The recovery process varies depending on what type of revision surgery was performed. For example, revising an over-corrected eyelid may require more time in the operating room, which may translate into a longer recovery. Revisional surgery for under-correction is usually less complex and requires a shorter recovery period than other techniques.

In general, you can expect some bruising and swelling around your eyes which will gradually decrease over a few weeks. It is common to have a little discomfort for the first few days. You may also experience a bit of blurry vision, as well as tearing, which will resolve within a week.