Dry eye after eyelid surgery is very common, but this is nothing to be fearful about. It’s a temporary problem that you can manage successfully during eyelid surgery recovery and get rid of it completely. There is a misconception that people suffering from dry eye after eyelid surgery stay with it forever. And thus, many people back out from eyelid surgery and miss the opportunity to look younger and fresher.

There is nothing wrong if you are fearful. But, the thing is your fear shouldn’t overpower the good parts of the eyelid surgery; instead, you should learn to manage the problem and get the advantage of the surgery. For this, the most important thing is to connect with the right surgeon. An experienced surgeon can significantly reduce the risk of dry eye after eyelid surgery.

Who commonly gets dry eyes after eyelid surgery?

Patients who commonly get dry eyes after eyelid surgery are:

• One who receives surgery on both the upper and lower eyelids
• One who has previously dealt with dry eyes
• One who has issues with contact lenses
• One who is going through hormonal changes, especially women starting birth control or going through menopause

What are the reasons for dry eyes after eyelid surgery?

After the eyelid surgery, there is some degree of swelling and bruising in and around the treatment area. They are just the body’s natural response to trauma to the skin and tissues. Due to swelling and bruising, the ability to blink is affected. The cornea doesn’t get covered by the tear film, causing a dry feeling.

Sometimes, the tear duct is impacted when the surgery is performed on the lower eyelid, leading to less moisture production.

The last and very common reason is environmental elements. After the surgery, the sun and wind dry out the eyes as they become more sensitive.

How should you manage dry eye symptoms after eyelid surgery?

As dry eye symptoms are common and temporary, they are easy to manage and get rid of. You just need to follow the below-mentioned tips.

• Use over-the-counter eye drops or ointments to lubricate the eyes
• Use artificial tears liberally throughout the day and administer a soothing ointment before bedtime.
• Apply a cold compress to the eyes in 20-minutes increments to reduce initial swelling and inflammation, restoring your natural blinking ability.
• Wear temporary contact lenses, if possible, to increase moisture on the surface of the eyes.
• Wear protective glasses to keep your eyes safe from environmental elements
• Follow the aftercare instructions given by the surgeon

Conclusion

The objective to write this post is to inform you that dry eye or its symptoms after eyelid surgery is temporary. We want to make you understand that dry eye after eyelid surgery is not for a lifetime and you can get rid of it easily. And it’s because we don’t want you to miss the benefits of eyelid surgery.

Schedule an appointment for eyelid surgery with Dr. John Martin today. And if you have more questions, call us or send us an email. We will be happy to answer all your questions.