18-12-2024 In Eyelid surgery

Are there complications and risks associated with eyelid surgery?

With eyelid surgery, the risks and chances of complications are low. This is because it is a relatively simple cosmetic procedure. There are, however, normal side effects, such as swelling. Side effects are temporary, and if they cause significant discomfort, they are usually treatable. Complications after eyelid surgery are fortunately infrequent, nevertheless, we believe it is important for you, the consumer, to be fully informed about the complications and risks of eyelid surgery.

In this article, therefore, we describe all side effects, divided into short- and long-term side effects, common complaints and all possible complications and risks of eyelid surgery.

Side effects of eyelid surgery

Normal side effects of eyelid surgery that may occur during the recovery period include swelling, eye sensitivity and bruising. These are short-term side effects that will go away on their own. Of course, at Ivy clinics, we offer support during the recovery process. For common complaints after eyelid surgery, such as dry eyes, we can prescribe eye drops, for example.

Side effects after eyelid surgery may include:

Blue eyes (bruising)
Red eyes
Irritated eyes
Burnt eyes
Itchy eyes
Thick eyes
Swollen eyes
Moisture retention eyes
Edema after eyelid surgery
Dry eyes
Tearing eyes
Blurred vision
Eye inflammation*
Pus at eyes*
Pain eyes*

If side effects persist longer than expected or if you are worried, please contact us. * In case of severe pain, inflamed eyes and pus by the eyes always contact us immediately. At Ivy clinics you can get advice and help at any time. We are available 24/7 at the emergency number: (088) 800 76 54.

Can eyelid surgery fail?

An eyelid correction can fail if the procedure is not performed correctly or if a complication develops that is subsequently not treated (properly). The prerequisites for a good outcome of eyelid surgery include proper preparation for the procedure, a sterile and hygienic treatment site and proper aftercare.

As with any cosmetic procedure, therefore, eyelid surgery is essential to be performed by an experienced and knowledgeable doctor.

The following is a list of reasons why eyelid surgery can fail:

Incompetent doctor
Unauthorized practitioner
Improper execution
No (proper) aftercare
Untreated complication, such as with dehiscence (popping open) of the wound

When eyelid surgery fails, there can be long-term side effects such as weird eyes, uneven eyes or an abnormal scar.

Weird eyes after eyelid surgery

After eyelid surgery, some people may experience that their eyes look odd or different than expected. This is a common side effect during the recovery period of eyelid surgery. This is because the skin around the eyes is tightened to reduce droopy eyelids and puffiness. Strange eyes can occur because the eyes are temporarily swollen after the procedure and the scar pulls, this often subsides within a few weeks. Immediately after surgery, the area around the eyes is sensitive and swollen, further affecting the appearance.

Some people still notice a difference in how their eyes look several months after surgery. In that case, uneven eyes may have been caused by the surgery.

Uneven eyes after eyelid surgery

Visibly uneven eyes after eyelid surgery are not desirable. A skilled and experienced doctor will make every effort to make the eyes as even as possible. Complete symmetry is not feasible, as the face and therefore the eyes are not naturally symmetrical, but symmetry will obviously be the goal when performing eyelid surgery. Consult your practitioner if you suffer from uneven eyes after the recovery period. A correction may then be desirable.

Eyelid surgery scar

Eyelid surgery involves opening up the skin, which means that a scar is left behind just like any other surgical procedure. The scar from an upper eyelid correction, when done correctly, blends nicely into the crease of the upper eyelid. When there is excess skin at the side of the eye, the scar extends a little further at the crow’s feet. With a lower eyelid surgery, the scar is below the lash line. With both upper and lower eyelid surgery, the scar generally heals nicely and is barely visible after a year.

However, less attractive scars can also appear after eyelid surgery, such as bumps on the scar.

Bumps on scar

Bumps may appear on the scar after eyelid surgery. These bumps occur during or after the recovery process. The bumps may be small atheroma cysts, hematomas or seromas. Generally, bumps on the scar disappear on their own within a few weeks or months. In some cases, minor surgery may be necessary to remove the bumps. In any case, consult your practitioner to determine exactly what the bumps are and whether it is necessary to remove them.

Headache eyelid surgery

Headaches after eyelid surgery are a common side effect during the recovery process. However, it is important to distinguish between short-term headaches after the procedure and long-term headaches that persist beyond the recovery period. Headaches and disturbed sleep are normal during the first week and are common during the healing process. Prolonged headaches that persist even after the recovery period are atypical and require further investigation by the practitioner.

Failed eyelid surgery photos

A good outcome from eyelid surgery is not guaranteed. A doctor will go to great lengths to minimize the risk of complications. Nevertheless, a complication may unexpectedly arise during recovery after eyelid surgery.

For example, Richard Groenendijk recently shared posts and photos about his lower eyelid surgery on his Instagram account (@richard_groenendijk). After the procedure, a complication, an ectropion, arose. This causes the lower eyelid to turn outward. This complication is rare and fortunately often easy to correct. He has since removed the photos from his social media, but for those who missed the failed eyelid surgery photos, an ectropion looks like the one shown in the illustration below near the right eye.

How to prevent complications in eyelid surgery

A list of precautions

Complications in eyelid surgery can largely be prevented through proper preparation, treatment and aftercare. For the most part, the doctor is the one to prevent complications, but you yourself can contribute to a good outcome.

What you can do yourself to prevent complications as much as possible:

Choose an experienced and knowledgeable doctor for your eyelid surgery
Have your eyelid surgery performed in the Netherlands

Before surgery:

During the consultation with the doctor, be honest about your health, including allergies, medication use and (mental) illnesses
Schedule the eyelid surgery at a convenient time, i.e., when you feel well and can take time for your recovery
Do not drink alcohol or take blood-thinning medication such as aspirin before surgery

After surgery:

Cool the eyes regularly after surgery with an ice pack
Prevent postoperative trauma, stooping and overexertion from heavy lifting or exercise
Keeps the head higher than the rest of the body, at least 45 to 60 degrees

Mental impact of eyelid surgery complication

When a complication occurs after eyelid surgery, it is not unusual for mental symptoms to arise in addition to physical discomfort. The expectation of a better appearance leading to increased self-esteem can suddenly turn into disappointment, anxiety and regret from the eyelid surgery. This can cause both anxiety and depression. Cosmetic surgery can also trigger morphodysforeign disorder (BDD).

People with complications after eyelid surgery may suffer from:

Hyperfocus on appearance
Decreased self-esteem
Feelings of regret or disappointment
Fear of additional health complications
Social isolation because of their fear or shame

These mental symptoms can have a great impact on daily functioning and overall sense of well-being. Therefore, try to avoid eyelid surgery regrets.

Preventing eyelid surgery regret

To avoid eyelid surgery regrets, there are some important things to consider, including finding out your motivation for undergoing eyelid surgery. Finding out where your need to undergo cosmetic surgery is can be quite difficult. We recommend that you talk to someone you trust. This could be your partner, a friend or a professional such as a therapist. Try to see if there may be factors other than your intrinsic motivation involved in your desire to undergo eyelid surgery. In addition, it is obviously important to minimize the risk of complications. You do this by choosing an experienced and knowledgeable doctor.

Do proper research to find the best doctor for your eyelid surgery, including looking at the experiences of others at eyelid surgery clinics.

Experiences eyelid surgery at clinics

To avoid a bad experience and regret from eyelid surgery, you do well to do thorough research on the best doctor for your eyelid surgery. In doing so, it is a good idea to at least consider:

The BIG register: is the practitioner registered?
The practitioner’s specialty: is the practitioner a physician, cosmetic doctor or plastic surgeon?
The results: are there before and after photos available on the clinic’s website?
Review websites: how is the doctor/clinic rated on review sites such as Google and Klantenvertellen?

At Ivy clinics, we perform eyelid surgery on a daily basis. Ivy clinics is rated an average of 9.5/10 by clients. Read all of our clients’ eyelid surgery experiences here.

Geschreven door:

Natale Adamo

Natale is al werkzaam als cosmetisch arts sinds 2009 en zeer bedreven in het uitvoeren van injectables. Hij heeft zich gespecialiseerd in cosmetische chirurgie zoals ooglidcorrecties (zowel boven als onder) liposucties (lichaam en gelaat), lipofilling en chirurgische ingrepen zoals oorlelcorrecties en oorlelverkleiningen. Hij is co-auteur van verschillende richtlijnen binnen de cosmetische chirurgie en was ook betrokken bij de totstandkoming van het ‘Kwaliteitskader Cosmetische Geneeskunde’.