What is eyelid retraction? It is a phenomenon where either the lower or upper eyelids shrink back from the eye and into the skull. This phenomenon has the potential to negatively impact the health of the eye in the long run.
Eyelid retraction can arise from a number of different sources and is a common side effect for patients after surgery. If the surgery is performed by a physician whose skills are somewhat lacking, the potential for eyelid retraction to occur rises.
If you have an eyelid retraction surgery planned, take a look at this guide that describes some of the elements of the procedure.
What Is Eyelid Retraction?
Eyelid retraction is a medical phenomenon that occurs when the eyelids sink closer into the skull or when excess eyelid skin is removed during a surgical procedure. The result is an aesthetically bizarre situation that most patients would rather avoid, where one’s eyeballs appear to be popping out of one’s skull.
Beyond the aesthetic issues surrounding this phenomenon, medical concerns must also be considered. The eyelids serve as one of the protective mechanisms for keeping the eyes from harm. Without a sufficient protective eyelid covering, the eyes become vulnerable to disease, debris, and infection.
Many side effects come paired with eyelid retraction. Some of the commonly experienced ones include the following:
- Irritated eyes
- Excessively dry eyes
- Corneal defects
- Excessive tearing
- Watery eyes
What Causes Eyelid Retraction?
The most common cause of eyelid retraction is a poorly executed lower blepharoplasty. In these types of operations, the physician removes too much of the eyelid during the procedure.
In particular, the type of eyelid surgery known as transcutaneous blepharoplasty tends to lead physicians into making the mistake of removing too much of the eyelid during a procedure. Being aware of this tendency in this particular procedure can help you anticipate that this type of issue might occur as you move forward with your procedural process.
Some of the primary causes of eyelid retraction include the following conditions:
- Tumors
- Paralysis
- Facial palsy
- Trauma and injury to the eye
- Hydrocephalus
- Cushing syndrome
- Botched eyelid surgery
- Blepharitis
Why Is Eyelid Retraction an Issue?
In addition to the not-to-be-overlooked aesthetic concerns that can be brought forth by eyelid retraction, some medical issues are exacerbated by the presence of a retracted eyelid.
In particular, retracted eyelids make the eyes more vulnerable to infection and abrasion. This is because the eyelids are one of the primary protectors of eye health, shielding them from debris and other invasive substances.
If you don’t have your retracted eyelid surgically repaired, then there is a very strong chance that you will encounter some type of issue with the health of your eyes somewhere down the line.
Types of Eyelid Retraction
Eyelid retraction can occur on either the upper or lower eyelid. In addition to these two primary categories, there are other categories of eyelid retraction.
There are two primary types of lower eyelid retraction. The primary types are as follows:
- Anterior lamellar retraction: This type of eyelid retraction occurs due to a shortage of skin. The over-removal of eyelid skin generally causes it during blepharoplasty but can also occur during other types of plastic surgery procedures and phenomena. Examples include severe sun damage, chemical peels, cancer, and connective tissue disorders.
- Posterior lamellar eyelid retraction: This is another type of eyelid retraction that tends to most heavily impact the skin in the middle or back of the eye. Some of the primary factors that can create this type of retraction are complications during blepharoplasty, orbital surgery, diseases of the thyroid, and other connective tissue diseases.
Upper eyelid retraction is the source of many different issues, including lagophthalmos and ocular corneal surface diseases. If left untreated, a patient could risk losing their eyesight completely due to the complications brought on via this type of retraction. Some of the primary causes of this type of eyelid disease include:
Methods of Treatment for Eyelid Retraction
The exact method of treatment for eyelid retraction depends on the nature and general severity of the retraction. Much of this depends on the amount of skin available for the physician to work with.
If there is sufficient skin for the physician, then they may be able to simply manipulate the eyelids back into place, so to say. Suppose there isn’t sufficient skin for this purpose. In that case, your doctor may have to engage in a more intensive restorative surgery that may involve skin grafts from other parts of the body to make up for the lack of sufficient eyelid skin.
If your eyelid retraction has an easily identifiable source, such as thyroid disease, there is a very strong chance that your doctor will recommend addressing the source issue as well. If you have some semblance of an idea surrounding the source of your eyelid retraction, then it would do you well to report whatever information you might think is relevant.
Preparing for Eyelid Retraction Surgery
Prior to any surgical work being done, you’ll visit the physician’s office to discuss your upcoming procedure and receive a medical examination to determine your fitness for treatment. Should you pass this exam, your physician will go over everything that you can expect from your retraction surgery.
One of the primary hurdles for those who are interested in surgery might be the fact that the procedure requires that a patient be placed in either local or general anesthesia. Some individuals who are suffering from various chronic health issues are not able to receive anesthesia and may have to discuss other treatment options with their physician regarding their condition.
Barring this issue, most individuals who would like to have their eyelid retraction treated should be approved for treatment. Your physician will also draw up a recovery plan for you, following your approval and consultation.
Recovering from Eyelid Retraction Repair
Technically speaking, eyelid retraction repair surgery is a type of blepharoplasty, and the recovery period for this type of procedure often behaves very similarly to the standard recovery period for any other type of blepharoplasty.
There are several pointers that your physician might give to you to assist you in making your recovery period as quick and as smooth as possible. Take heed of the following tips that can help you recover smoothly and expediently:
- Rest with your head elevated
- Make sure to receive plenty of rest in general
- Apply whatever topical antibiotics that you might be prescribed
- Take any pain medication that is prescribed in the first week
- Assume to take approximately five to 10 days of recovery following your procedure
Most patients who undergo this type of procedure will experience some swelling in the first days and weeks following it. This is considered a normal side effect and should not be cause for excessive worry.
It is also common for patients to experience some level of bruising and perhaps light scarring in the area surrounding their surgical results. This is also considered quite normal and should not be considered a cause for alarm.
What Should I Be Aware Of?
However, there are certain symptoms to stay aware of in terms of side effects from surgery that might indicate that there is something abnormal occurring during your recovery period. Some of the following should be taken as serious indications that there is something amiss with your recovery period:
- Infection in the surgical site
- A lasting sense of numbness surrounding your eyes
- Excessive bleeding surrounding the surgical site
- An impaired sense of vision
- Acute glaucoma
- Corneal abrasions
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should visit the doctor again to discuss what might be amiss with your recovery period.
Selecting the Right Surgeon
Given that most eyelid retractions occur due to a botched eyelid surgery, emphasis is placed on selecting a surgeon of quality to handle your retraction procedure. This can help to ensure that no further revision work is needed in the future.
In general, you should always try to select a physician who is board-certified by the ABPS (American Board of Plastic Surgeons). These physicians are heavily vetted by a board of their peers to ensure that they are equipped to handle the most complex procedures with the highest level of care.
Selecting a board-certified physician can help ensure that you receive the level of care that you deserve.
The Best Eyelid Surgery in LA
Taban is perhaps the most respected eyelid surgeon currently working in the Los Angeles area. If you’re interested in holding a consultation with a medical professional regarding your ideas about eyelid surgery, then contact our office today to discuss your options.