What Are the Risks of Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery is very safe, but it is important to understand the risks. Here is an honest overview.
Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgeries and has a very low complication rate when performed by a qualified surgeon.
- Common side effects (expected, temporary):
- Swelling and bruising (peaks at 2β3 days, resolves over 1β2 weeks)
- Temporary dry eyes or excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred or double vision (rare, temporary)
- Numbness or altered sensation around the incisions
- Less common complications:
- Ectropion β the lower eyelid pulls downward (more common in lower blepharoplasty)
- Lagophthalmos β difficulty closing the eyes completely (temporary)
- Infection β rare, treated with antibiotics
- Hematoma β collection of blood (uncommon in eyelid surgery)
- Asymmetry β minor differences between sides
- Visible scarring β usually well hidden in natural creases
- Changes in tear production β temporary or, rarely, permanent dry eye
How Risks Are Minimized
- Choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon
- Pre-operative eye examination
- Using meticulous surgical technique
- Following post-operative instructions carefully
- Avoiding blood-thinning medications
When to Call Your Surgeon
- Contact your surgeon immediately if:
- You cannot close your eye
- You have severe pain
- You have vision changes
- You notice signs of infection (fever, redness, discharge)
Clinical Guidance
Blepharoplasty is a very safe procedure with a low complication rate. Temporary swelling, bruising, and dry eyes are the most common side effects. Serious complications are rare when performed by an experienced surgeon.