| Almost one in three patients has dryness in the eyes after blepharoplasty. This may not be a big problem for most people but can be annoying if you wear contact lenses.
Significant dryness of the eyes is called keratoconjunctivitis sicca. You may have this if your eyes are constantly red, irritated and tearing. Patients often say they have a sensation like "something in the eye" all the time.
Plastic surgeons, and their patients, like to know before surgery whether they are at risk for developing the problem. If you are predisposed to dryness then there are several things the surgeon can do to reduce the risk such as limiting the amount of skin removed, tightening the lower eyelid and lubricating the eye after surgery with artificial tears and ointment at night.
It is possible to assess the patients most likely to develop dry eyes after surgery. Patients who wear contact lense s before surgery have already demonstrated an ability to produce tears and are therefore at less risk.
A Schirmer test measures the amount of tears produced . The doctor puts a small strip of litmus paper over the lower eyelid. If you produce 15 mm of wetness in five minutes your risk is less. This is not the only, nor is the best way, of assessing risk. Significant risk is seen in patients who have poor tone in the lower eyelid, protruding eyes , underdeveloped cheek bones or white showing all around the pupil (scleral show). In these patients it is possible that 2/3 will develop dryness in the eyes after blepharoplasty. When this appearance is combined with the Schirmer's test the surgeon can predict which patients are likely to develop dryness in the eyes after blepharoplasty in 3/4 patients
Index to FAQs about blepharoplasty
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 Blepharoplasty
indications for blepharoplasty
How is a blepharoplasty done?
complications and problems associated with a blepharoplasty
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