Revisional Eyelid Surgery

What is Revisional Eyelid Surgery?

Revisional eyelid surgery is performed to amend the results of a previous eyelid surgery that had some undesired outcomes and complications. An eyelid surgery can go wrong if performed by an inexperienced and unspecialized cosmetic surgeon. It's advisable that such a surgery should only be performed by an ocular microsurgeon, as such a specialist will have a thorough knowledge of the complexities of the upper and lower eyelids and know about the structure and functioning of the eye.

Revisional eyelid surgery is a corrective plastic surgery that includes procedures such as eyelift revisions, droopy eyelid repair, removal of lesions in the eyelid, reconstructive repair after cancer, repairs carried out for thyroid orbital disease, melanoma repair of the eyelid and eyelid surgery after burns. Revisional eyelid surgery can be cosmetic as well as functional in nature.

What does Revisional Eyelid Surgery entail?

Depending on individual cases, there are various revisional surgeries. If too much skin has been removed during a blepharoplasty, the specialist may need to harvest tissue from other areas such as the mouth or the area behind the ear. The tissue is harvested on the inside of the eyelid to lift it and get rid of a droopy eyelid. If the shape of the eyes is asymmetrical or if the eye appears rounded, it can look unnatural and also affect the patient functionally, as he or she would not be able to close the eyes while sleeping.

The eyes would also have a tendency to tear and become sensitive. Such a complication would have to be corrected through revisional eyelid surgery. Revisional eyelid surgery can correct complications such as under-correction, the inability to close the eyes after cosmetic surgery, the formation of small cysts on the scar tissue (milia) and droopy eyelids (ptosis).

What kinds of professionals perform Revisional Eye Surgery?

Revisional eyelid surgery is very complex, as the eye area is very delicate and several complications can occur if this area is not handled carefully. Damage caused to the delicate eyelid tissues is difficult to undo. It's therefore essential that this corrective surgery is performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, because such specialists have the requisite experience and expertise.

What are the risks of Revisional Eyelid Surgery?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery can go wrong due to the lack of training and experience of the plastic surgeon, the selection of an inappropriate procedure and previous damage to the eyelid tissue caused by exposure to the smoke or sun. The surgery may also go wrong due to the failure of the patient to follow preoperative and postoperative instructions. All of these can cause complications that require revisional eyelid surgery. Some such complications include disruption of the internal tissue, scarring, shortage of skin, droopy lids, a startled expression, infection, bleeding and impairment of vision due to an injury to the eye.

Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.