Most of the time, your eye doctor will advise you when an eyelid condition requires surgery. If you have noticed a problem with your eyelids opening or closing then you may schedule an appointment for an eyelid consultation.

Whenever the upper eyelids are too low and the visual field is blocked. Droopy upper eyelids can also cause irritation and inflammation of the eyelids and conjunctiva of the eye.

You should schedule a comprehensive consult with the surgeon. During this appointment, the surgical options, risks, benefits and alternatives will be reviewed. Photographs and measurements will be taken. Further testing may be required prior to surgery.

For two weeks prior to any eyelid surgery, you should discontinue any aspirin products. This includes headache medications and Excedrin. You should also discontinue any non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen  (Advil) and naproxen. If you take blood thinners such as coumadin or plavix, please remember to tell the surgeon. These products may be discontinued prior to surgery after conferring with your primary health care physician.

The biggest risk during and after eyelid surgery is excessive bleeding. Uncontrolled bleeding has been reported to cause permanent vision loss in extreme cases. It is very important to report immediately any acute swelling or decreased vision after any eyelid surgery. Other risks include skin infection, failure of surgery to fully correct the impairment, and vision loss.

In most cases, you will need to return in 7-14 days after surgery to check incisions and you may be seen by Dr. McCarty or one of her medical assistants.

Depending on the type of surgery, most patients report moderate bruising and swelling of the eyelids for 3-5 days. The bruising may take 2-3 weeks to fade completely. Most patients are able to return to their normal activities within 5-7 days.

For the first two days after surgery, cold compresses or washcloths may be used to decrease the swelling and bruising. These should be applied for 20 minutes every 2 hours for two days following surgery, as tolerated. Antibiotic ointment should be placed on the incision site and in the eye 4 times a day to prevent infection and dryness. We provide a detailed list of all pre and post operative instructions when surgery is scheduled.

Surgery may be done in the office, at Catalina Surgery Center or at Tucson Medical Center depending on the patient’s needs and type of surgery.